New Flower Arrangements Formed Into Exotic Butterflies by Raku Inoue

Montreal-based fashion designer and creative Raku Inoue continues his Natura Insects series (previously) with a focus on brilliantly colored moths and butterflies. The delicate insects were created from seasonal leaves and blooms, with pastel petals and green leaves composing those made in late summer, and warmer tones and brown leaves forming the works made in mid-fall.

“Natura insects” is an art series where a wildlife of lifelike beetles, butterflies and other bugs have been crafted from bright flower arrangements. encompassing nine different species and revamping many of them from perceived grossness to visions of beauty, the exhibit features; beetle, kabutomushi, ladybug, dragonfly, butterfly, moth, stag beetle, black widow spider, and a firefly.

The artist learned the importance of utilizing seasonal materials while studying the art of Ikebana—the Japanese art of floral arrangement. This training taught Inoue to respect the nature he works with and only use what is most abundant, rather than focusing on what might look most attractive. Often after a rain he will collect the petals that have fallen to the ground, using these naturally-provided elements rather than searching for flowers still connected to their tree or stem.

You can see more arrangements from his continuing series on Instagram.