Art meets science in Moth show

Art and science has come together in a new exhibition at Manjimup Art Gallery, showcasing the various moth species found in the South West and Great Southern.

The exhibition, titled Moth, was compiled by Albany artist and environmental scientist Chelsea Hopkins-Allan.

She has used different materials and dimensions to examine the details of different species from multiple perspectives.

Manjimup shire libraries and cultural services manager Vanda Dei-Tos said there were 42 pieces in the collection.

The works include a selection of wax drawings which look like specimens behind glass, acrylics which portray a close-up of wings and five larger works using acrylic and oil on linen.

“In the time that I have been managing the gallery, there has not been an exhibition that links science and art as directly as Moth,” she said.

“The combination of science and art entices a wider audience into the gallery; for those who love art, it is a beautiful and unusual exhibition and for those who love science, it offers a fascinating insight into this family of insects of which so little is known.”

Ms Dei-Tos said Australia had 20,000 to 30,000 species of moths but only about 420 species of butterflies, which made the moth an important insect in both the science and art world.

The works in the exhibition are for sale and range in price from $135 to $5200.

The exhibition will be on at the gallery until May 18.