In Texas, we're used to creepy crawlies of considerable size, but special sculptures invading the Fort Worth Botanic Garden are sure to leave visitors bug-eyed. "David Rogers’ Big Bugs," an exhibit of insect sculptures on a gigantic scale, is landing at the city's premier garden on March 11.
Long Island, New York-based artist David Rogers created the collection of 10 pieces in the early 1990s and debuted them at the Dallas Arboretum in 1994. Since then, the exhibit has traveled across 24 states and been shown in 83 exhibits at 53 different institutions, according to the website. This spring marks its Fort Worth debut.
Each sculpture is made of whole trees, cut green saplings, dry branches, and other forest materials. Standing anywhere from 7 to 18 feet tall, they tower over over plants and flowers in the garden and no doubt will make for fun selfie opps.
The collection includes:
- Ants, made of bent willow on armature and carved red cedar
- Preying Mantis, made of carved black locust
- Damsel Fly, made of carved red cedar and willow on armature
- Dragonfly, made of carved red cedar and willow on armature
- Spider with Web, made of red cedar or black walnut and willow on armature
- Grasshopper, made of carved black locust or red cedar
- Assassin Bug, made of carved black walnut and carved red cedar
- XL Lady Bug, made of bent willow on armature and carved black walnut
- Daddy Long Legs, made of red cedar and willow
As recounted on the artist's website, Rogers got the idea for "Big Bugs" when he happened to "see" a creature in a fallen tree: "In 1990, David saw a maple sapling bent over from an ice storm," the site says. "In it, he saw the spine of a beast. From dried branches and different types of young trees, a 'dinosaur' emerged in the hands of the artist in 12 inspired days. The artist then knew he could build anything out of branches and trees."
The oversized, whimsical bug sculptures are designed to make even the most squeamish viewers appreciate insect life in a whole new way.
“When you take this remarkable and diverse group of ‘hidden gardeners’ and re-create them on a gigantic scale using all-natural materials, you have 'Big Bugs,'” says Patrick Newman, FWBG CEO and president, in a release. “The stunning effect is a role reversal of dimension and perception that kids of all ages will absolutely love.”
The exhibit will run concurrently with FWBG's popular Butterflies in the Garden event, opening Friday, February 25.
"Big Bugs" will be on display through June 12. Exhibit viewing is included with the price of garden admission, and members get in free.
"Big Bugs" goes on view March 11-June 12.
