Michelle Stuart: Aurelian Variations

AURELIAN, an 18th century term for butterflies and lepidopterists, derives from the Latin aureolus. It refers to the golden chrysalids of particular nymphalid butterflies.

The Drawing Room in East Hampton is pleased to present a new body of work by Michelle Stuart, on view from June 1st – 26th. In this recent series of mixed media works on paper, Stuart, who divides her time between studios in New York City and Amagansett, takes butterflies and moths as her subject. A selection of related paintings will also be available.

An extension of Stuart’s longstanding dialogue on the intersection of cultural and natural histories and the delicate balance of the natural world, this intriguing exploration of an exotic array of butterfly varieties conveys Stuart’s appreciation of their multiplicity and fragility. From her important early site-specific works of the 1970s to the panel paintings of the 1980s, to the seed calendars of the 1990s, Stuart’s work reveals an observant world traveler, collector of natural elements and an advocate for preservation.

See below for full press release and selected works.