Sculpture: Computer Component Bugs

"Computer Component Bugs" by Portsmouth, UK-based Julie Alice Chappell

Julie Alice Chappell has created this series of insect sculptures from recycled circuit boards and other computer components to raise awareness of environmental waste.

"My art practice involves breaking down the pre-existing materials, reinterpreting them and offering them a new form with new purpose, creating something beautiful, whimsical and precious." explains Chappell in a Permaculture article unveiling the series.

"The recycled bits of cultural refuse that are woven throughout my work represent a direct encounter with the excesses of modern living highlighting the dangers of planned obsolescence and e-waste in the environment. The work displays an aesthetic beauty whilst offering a socio-political discourse, attempting to reclaim waste and the destruction of the natural world, in the beauty of visual art."

Interior Design: BUG

"BUG" Armoire  designed by Latvia-based Janis Straupe of True Latvia

This one-of-a-kind insectoid armoire is full of customizable shelves, drawers, cubbies and even a few secret compartments, it’s a beautifully functional piece of furniture as well as an amazing work of art.  If I had designed it, I would have called it the Kafka special.

Illustration: Ink Figures

Incredibly Intricate Ink Illustrations by Alex Konahin

Sculpture: Creepy Mechanical Bugs

Creepy Mechanical Bugs by Chicago-based Justin Gershenson-Gates

Chicago-based jeweler, JM Gershenson-Gates, creates unique accessories from discarded watch parts, in a bid “to show the beauty of the mechanical world, a place generally hidden from the public behind metal and glass.” Each of these tiny masterpiece takes several hours to create, and because the design is too consistent to suffer any breaks, Jason has to complete every one of them in a single sitting. That means he sometimes spends up to 12 hours assembling watch springs, stems, gears and straps, and soldering them all together.

Illustration: Japanese Sci-Fi

Japanese Sci-Fi Drawings by Okyama, Japan-based Yasuto Sasada

Combining traditional Japanese cultural tropes with a sci-fi sensibility, Sasada has his own visual language that combines cultural traditions with the future. His detailed pen drawings of creatures mix motifs from modern technology and religion. Their black and white tonality, achieved with a thin 0.3mm pen,  is harshly contrasted against bright pink, blue, and green backgrounds. He’s created a new form of drawing that juxtaposes old and contemporary ideas, taking us into an entirely new dimension.

"I draw creatures ranging from tigers, toki (Japanese crested ibis), crayfish and many more… These creatures are revived, and re-start to breathe and regain their well-being. Nonetheless, all of these creatures will have a machine installed in their bodies and regain their lives. This is my message of “life” towards all living creatures."

Sculpture: Upcycled Creatures

Upcycled Creatures by Russian sculptor Igor Verniy

Sculptor Igor Verniy creates birds, butterflies, and other creatures from scrap metal and silverware. Most of his pieces are created in a steampunk motif with fully articulated joints.  These are some of my favorite pieces, but you can see more on the artist's VK and Facebook pages.

Sculpture: Steampunk Insects

Steampunk Insects by Dmitry Khristenko

Sculpture: Golden Roach Project

"The Golden Roach Project" by Budapest-based artist Miklós Kiss

Kiss has placed thousands of golden beetles made of injection molded plastic into museums across the world, placing them throughout the spaces and incorporating them throughout other exhibitions. During their stay in the exhibition space, visitors have the opportunity to take one of the golden roaches home with them. 

Sculpture: Mantis Viartix Tempori

"Mantis Viartix Tempori" by Yves Szywala

Photographed by Julien Chantôme

Posters: Social Networks

"Social Networks" by Chelyabinsk, Russia-based Ivan Belikov

Ivan Belikov envisions the internet's major Social Networks battling it out as if they were combatants in a survival of the fittest. Tumblr is a ferocious bug, Facebook is an angry butterfly, and Vkontakte is a werewolf in a frenzy.

Illustration: Bug Wars

"Bug Wars" by  Keith Krebbs

Sculpture: Talking Continents

Anthill Art is a series of aluminum casts revealing the incredibly intricate design of ant colonies. Each one is created by pouring molten aluminum into an anthill, then digging up the cooled metal.  Occasionally, one of these casts is sold through Ebay.  Meanwhile, you can keep up to date through the AntHill Art Facebook page.

"I make casts of ant colonies using molten aluminum to fill the tunnels and chambers of the nest. The result is an amazing sculpture showing the intricate detail of the nest architecture. The cast is then mounted for display on a wood base. Each display has a stainless steel plaque mounted on it with information on the cast and a unique cast number. These make perfect displays for a home or as an educational piece for teachers and professors to display in a science classroom or laboratory."

Illustration: Little Wings

"Little Wings" by Latvia-based illustrator Alex Konahin

Intricate insects whose ornate bodies are made of beautiful scrollwork and floral designs drawn in india ink with fine pens.

Sculpture: Upcylced Insects

Upcylced Insect Sculptures by French artist Edouard Martinet

On exhibit at Sladmore Contemporary in London, November 27- January 31, 2014.

Edouard Martinet is making a name for himself with these intricately detailed insect sculptures which he screws together from junk such as discarded car and typewriter parts.  The results are stunning and vaguely steampunk.  Why don't they make toys action figures this awesome?

Papercraft: Cut into Sections

"Cut into Sections" by London-based Lobul of Lobulo Design

[Previously: Paper Darth Project]

Sculpture: Stick Insects

Stick Insects by Kyle Bean

Photographed by Owen Silverwood

Sculpture: Stick Insects

"Stick Insects" by Kyle Bean

Insects made from matchsticks

Limited edition prints available for purchase from the artist. £22.00

Photographed by Owen Silverwood

Crafts: Embroidered Insects

Embroidered Sculpture by British artist Claire Moynihan

Claire Moynihan creates life-sized three dimensional bugs and insects using traditional embroidering techniques.  The felt collection features an amazing degree of detail, showcasing a combination of realistic bees, snails, and ladybugs on wool ball pedestals. The tiny sculptures are carefully organized inside handcrafted entomological box frames.

Sculpture: Mechanical Spiders

Mechanical Spiders by JM Gershenson-Gates (A Mechanical Mind)

"Spider No 26 was made with recycled watch parts and an automotive light bulb.

In order to create the legs, forty-eight watch stems must be cut in different sizes to simulate the organic appearance of real spiders’ legs, which vary in size and shape between species. Each of these segments is carefully arranged into a leg and soldered at the joints with lead free, silver bearing solder. Each side of four legs is then soldered together at the base, forming what looks like a claw.

To make the body of the spider, two very small watch plates are soldered together with watch stem posts, forming a sort of chassis for the eyes and bulb to rest in. The eyes are made by layering and soldering together various stems and watch strap springs. An automotive light bulb is very carefully removed from its metal base and soldered to the body chassis by its lead wires. A “cap” of another watch plate forms the top of the spider. This spider an “antennae” made from a watch stem and a spring.

After the body is made, the leg assemblies are carefully arranged and attached by soldering. The legs and body are then manipulated in order to make the spider stand properly. All joints are then resoldered for added stiffness."

Sculpture: ARThropod Brain Show

"ARThropods" by Emilio Garcia

On exhibit at the Tokyoplastic x Emilio Garcia exhibit at Toy Art Gallery, LA. Photographed by Notcot