40 Years of Lepidopterology

This will be my last release working with the Grande Dame of photography as studio stock levels of large format 8 by 10 inch film plates fade into art history.

As the world races forward, some traditions hold a sacred place in preserving what is precious. My decades-long work with endangered butterflies has been a deeply transformative journey, a tribute to the fleeting beauty of life, the natural world and the urgent need for its preservation.
 

These final works were created using the last of my treasured film stock, which has been out of production for over 20 years. The collection captures these fragile creatures in a state of natural, temperature-induced hibernation, unharmed and suspended in water. This unique process allows their wings to refract light in ways that feel otherworldly, revealing a beauty that only this rare analogue technique can achieve.

Working with this medium has taught me reverence, patience, and an appreciation for nature’s profound beauty. Each film plate, painstakingly crafted, creates a serene and dreamlike atmosphere, inviting a deep connection with themes of metamorphosis, spirituality, and the passage of time.

Plate 0813-026

The butterflies were all bred in the studio, each generation nurtured with care and dedication, a practice that has become a meditative and almost monastic part of my life. This process is rooted in respect, craftsmanship, and a profound sense of stewardship.

The final and as yet unseen works are being collated on the studio licensing platform UnderwaterImageLibrary.com.
 

I hope these works inspire a moment of wonder and reflection and perhaps even a spark of action to protect our fragile environment. This journey has changed me in ways I can barely put into words, and I am profoundly grateful to share it with you.

Thank you for being a part of this story, it means more to me than I can say.

Plate 0813-021
 

Giclée edition prints are available from €495
 

'Morpho Amathonto 0220