Butterfly Wing Scales is a large-scale original watercolour by Chelsea Hopkins-Allan, inspired by the extraordinary microscopic structure of butterfly and moth wings.
Viewed under magnification, these wings are covered with millions of minute overlapping scales. In this work, Chelsea transforms those near-invisible biological structures into an expansive field of repeated oval and teardrop-like forms. Thousands of individually painted marks gather into shifting rows, clusters and currents, creating the impression of a living surface that changes as the viewer moves closer to or further away from it.
The palette is exceptionally rich and varied. Transparent and layered passages of lemon yellow, ochre, orange, coral, crimson, rose pink, mauve and lilac move through cooler areas of turquoise, aqua, cobalt blue, deep navy, emerald, olive and lime green. Soft greys, pale washes and areas of white negative space allow the stronger colours to breathe. The result is a vibrant, almost iridescent chromatic mosaic that evokes both the ordered structure and extraordinary colour variation found within an insect wing.
At close range, the individual watercolour marks and subtle variations in pigment become clearly visible. From a distance, they merge into broader fields of colour, rhythm and movement. The work can therefore be experienced simultaneously as a detailed biological study and as a large, immersive abstract composition.
The painted paper has been carefully cut out and float-mounted approximately 5 mm above a white backing board. This narrow separation creates delicate shadows beneath the artwork and gives it the appearance of a specimen suspended under a microscope slide. It is presented beneath glass in a clean white box frame.
Because the composition is non-figurative and works successfully in more than one direction, it may be displayed in either landscape or portrait orientation. Installation photographs show both presentations.
This listing is for the unique original artwork.
Artist: Chelsea Hopkins-Allan
Title: Butterfly Wing Scales
Edition: Original — unique artwork
Medium: Watercolour on 300 gsm watercolour paper
Dimensions: 900 × 1230 mm / 90 × 123 cm
Approximate imperial dimensions: 35.4 × 48.4 inches
Framing: Cut paper artwork float-mounted approximately 5 mm above a white backing board, protected under glass and presented in a white box frame
Orientation: May be displayed in landscape or portrait orientation
Current listed price: AUD $5,900
Butterfly Wing Scales is a large-scale original watercolour by Chelsea Hopkins-Allan, inspired by the extraordinary microscopic structure of butterfly and moth wings.
Viewed under magnification, these wings are covered with millions of minute overlapping scales. In this work, Chelsea transforms those near-invisible biological structures into an expansive field of repeated oval and teardrop-like forms. Thousands of individually painted marks gather into shifting rows, clusters and currents, creating the impression of a living surface that changes as the viewer moves closer to or further away from it.
The palette is exceptionally rich and varied. Transparent and layered passages of lemon yellow, ochre, orange, coral, crimson, rose pink, mauve and lilac move through cooler areas of turquoise, aqua, cobalt blue, deep navy, emerald, olive and lime green. Soft greys, pale washes and areas of white negative space allow the stronger colours to breathe. The result is a vibrant, almost iridescent chromatic mosaic that evokes both the ordered structure and extraordinary colour variation found within an insect wing.
At close range, the individual watercolour marks and subtle variations in pigment become clearly visible. From a distance, they merge into broader fields of colour, rhythm and movement. The work can therefore be experienced simultaneously as a detailed biological study and as a large, immersive abstract composition.
The painted paper has been carefully cut out and float-mounted approximately 5 mm above a white backing board. This narrow separation creates delicate shadows beneath the artwork and gives it the appearance of a specimen suspended under a microscope slide. It is presented beneath glass in a clean white box frame.
Because the composition is non-figurative and works successfully in more than one direction, it may be displayed in either landscape or portrait orientation. Installation photographs show both presentations.
This listing is for the unique original artwork.
Artist: Chelsea Hopkins-Allan
Title: Butterfly Wing Scales
Edition: Original — unique artwork
Medium: Watercolour on 300 gsm watercolour paper
Dimensions: 900 × 1230 mm / 90 × 123 cm
Approximate imperial dimensions: 35.4 × 48.4 inches
Framing: Cut paper artwork float-mounted approximately 5 mm above a white backing board, protected under glass and presented in a white box frame
Orientation: May be displayed in landscape or portrait orientation
Current listed price: AUD $5,900
