exotic beetles on a branch by kebel li

exotic beetles on a branch by kebel li
all images courtesy of kebel li

chinese artist kebel li exposes the magnificence of earth’s insect species in his sculptural work with beetles. the already deceased bugs are reproduced to appear as if in their habitat, closely mimicking their instinctual gestures. li collects extremely rare and visually fascinating beetles from around the world, which exhibit incredible physical characteristics like gleaming metallic exoskeletons and razor sharp horns.

in order to properly and optimally conserve the specimens, they undergo a lengthy preservation process: the dried insects are put into a relax chamber filled with wet paper and anti-molding chemicals, which makes their joints movable again. they are then carefully pinned and posed onto an organic branch base and left to dry there for 4-5 days. the insects are chemically stable and, without physical damage, will stay preserved in this state for hundreds of years.

a detailed view of the horned beetle

phalacrognathus muelleri, a gleaming metallic stag beetle

the specimen has spiky feet and massive wings

 
the razor-sharp horns of a beetle are nearly as long as its body

this specimen is a cyclommatus metallifer, whose mandibles are as long its the body

the green metallic insect is encased in a protective glass dome

1/4