Nature - Based
Urban Solutions 

Pollinator Insects exhibit complex yet relatable behaviours that elaborate their
relationship with members of its own species, with members of the species in its surroundings and the physical environment. 

 

The mystical nature of these small creatures hold secrets to years of evolution and have inspired civilisations to interact with each other in a deeply complex manner. The exploration of these behaviours inform a large philosophical  understanding of the world, making one aware of the effects the smallness holds.

Every time a bee chooses one flower over another, it stands a chance of wiping out an entire genetic line. Bumblebees can detect flowers' electric fields, guiding their nectar choices based on voltage. They learn to distinguish between these charges, remembering favourable experiences. When a bee lands on a flower, its electric field surges, signalling occupancy to others like a "Occupied" sign.

Butterflies and moths collect static electricity while in flight, the amount of static generated is adaptive and an evolutionary trait. It is known to attract pollen from several centimetres away, without the insect ever coming in contact with the flower through the friction in the air. This promotes them in their roles as pollinators to super efficient parts of the system.

When a wild fig is ready for pollination, it emits a scent that attracts only its specific wasp partners. A female wasp, upon finding such a fig, enters through a tiny opening at its base. This act is a self-sacrifice, as the wasp’s wings and antennae are torn off while she navigates the narrow passage, leaving her flightless for the rest of her short, two-day life inside the fig.Within the fig’s chamber, the mother wasp begins laying her eggs in numerous small flowers before she dies. The fig plant detects these eggs and surrounds them with plant tissue, which later provides nourishment for the larvae.

As weeks pass, the eggs hatch, and the first to emerge are wingless, worm-like males. Their sole purpose is to fertilise the female larvae before they hatch. After mating, the males use their jaws to create exit tunnels for the females. After fulfilling their role, the males return to the fig’s interior to die.Shortly after, female wasps, now pregnant queens, are born. As they navigate the exit tunnels, they collect pollen on their bodies. Once outside, these pollen-laden females take flight in search of a new fig to lay their eggs, continuing the cycle.

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Beetles are attracted to flowers with musky, yeasty, spicy, rotten, or fermented
odours. Spicebush and magnolia flowers, for example, draw beetles with their spicy pollen and aromatic oils. When a beetle enters a flower, it carries pollen from a previous visit and deposits it on the flower’s female parts while feeding on stigmatic secretions. As the beetles feed, they collect pollen from the flower, which is then transferred to other flowers as the beetles move on. This relationship has evolved over millions of years. Magnolias have developed methods to keep beetles from feeding on the reproductive parts of the flower, sacrificing some pollen and leaf tissue instead. They have also increased their number of stamens to ensure that enough are available for reproduction after the beetle has finished feeding.

Additionally, magnolias prevent other insects from accessing the flowers during crucial pollination periods and produce a fruity scent to attract beetles.
The fascinating behaviours of these tiny pollinators allure artists and scientists alike.

The complexity of these systemic purpose driven creatures are evidence of
evolutionary adaptations that have slowly changed over the years.

The Printmakers’ Collective is an initiative that brings together a group of 9 practicing printmakers for a 5 month programme. The program is guided by a senior curator engaging with the theme of ‘Pollinator Insects and their fascinating behaviours’. The printmakers collectively build towards creating research based designs that deeply look into insect sentience and their ways of being in various ecosystems. 

 

By drawing inspiration from storytellers, artists and entomologists, works are created that not only capture the visual essence of small beings but also communicate their significance and the necessity of their conservation. This theme challenges you to blend art and science, creating pieces that are both visually compelling and thought-provoking.

Shortlisted Artists
 

• Kate Gorringe Smith - Australia

• Sabine Delahaut - France

• Sylvia Taylor - United Kingdom

• Anita E Jung - USA

• Anil Majmudar - India

• Tanuja Rane - India

• Satyanarayana Gavara - India

• Oli Ghosh - India

• Eunkang Koh - USA