SW New Mexico News

A new art display at New Mexico State University (NMSU) showcases the intersection of entomology and art. Located in Skeen Hall, the exhibit features insect-inspired artwork created by students, resulting from a collaboration between Scott Bundy, an entomology professor; Courtney Uldrich, collection curator for the University Art Museum; and student assistants Maya Jo Yurcic and Olivia Juedeman.

The exhibit includes standout pieces from as far back as 2017. It comprises paintings and mixed-media creations that highlight the intricate beauty of insects. "Insects are works of art on their own," Bundy stated. "I just love getting people to see them in a new way."

Located on the second floor of Skeen Hall, this display is part of a course aimed at deepening students' understanding of insects' roles in human lives. The course encourages students to undertake creative projects often inspired by their studies. Bundy explained: “The overall goal is for people who typically aren’t majoring in entomology to understand how important insects are, the good and the bad things about them and how they affect our lives.”

Matthew Cota, a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art, contributed two paintings featuring moths. Describing his work Dryandra Moth, Cota said: “For my first piece... I worked digitally in Procreate using blending brushes that simulated watercolors to create a sense of softness." His second piece Actias ningpoana was inspired by the Chinese moon moth with an oil painting style complemented by a galactic background.

Bundy noted that his students produced unique pieces: “The students came up with some really cool things,” he said. He expressed gratitude for assistance from Uldrich's team in bringing his vision to life: “Courtney and her team brought expertise in presenting material that I just couldn’t do.”

Uldrich emphasized promoting professional practices through such projects: “This project is a great example of allowing the students to work on a project from start to finish.” Yurcic took charge of designing and installing the display using design software like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Reflecting on her experience, Yurcic said: “It was incredible seeing the digital design come to life on the wall.” She described herself as largely self-taught but appreciated tackling this professional challenge.

Olivia Juedeman assisted during installation: “We used security hardware... so it was a learning experience for both of us.” Looking ahead, Bundy expressed interest in expanding this initiative: “Now that we got it established... it would be nice to keep it dynamic.”