EM (122) — Brittany Nepomuck
Artist
Brittany Nepomuck (31)
Materials Used
Acrylic Paint and beads
Your website or social media
Describe your bug and its beauty
This phthalo green cicada sculpture has been adorned with vibrant jewel tones and floral motifs, evoking a sense of spring and renewal. It is gilded in gold that lines the wings, and has beadwork on the eyes and the flower centers on the wings. Inspired by the opulent aesthetics of Victorian insect jewelry, this piece is a tribute to humanity's intricate relationship with nature. As society distanced itself from the wild, there emerged a longing to encapsulate its beauty in ornamental forms—manifested in taxidermy fashion. It celebrates the cyclical beauty of metamorphosis and the rejuvenation of spring embodied by the cicada, while also questioning the human impulse to manipulate and control nature.
How long do you think you took decorating your bug?
10 hours
Tell us your Story
The cicadas emerging this year last visited us 17 years ago. What kind of change have you seen in your city, yourself, or someone you know over the last 17 years?
Reflecting on the past 17 years feels like a journey through multiple lifetimes, each marked by transformation and growth. As humans, I believe we’re meant to be lifelong learners and that means we change constantly. At 31, in the suburbs of Chicago, I can't help but look back on the 17-year-journey from my teenage years in rural Nebraska.
They say every cell in our body regenerates every 7 years, and while it's a myth, it resonates with the profound changes life brings. As humans, we're perpetual learners, constantly reshaping our perceptions of the world and our place within it. The lens through which I view others, community, and the world has shifted monumentally over the years. Each phase feels like a rebirth, a shedding of old skins and embracing new truths.
From the intimacy of a 1700-person small-town to the vastness of millions in this urban sprawl, my world has expanded to a great degree. At 14, we had just gotten rid of dial-up internet, and technology's evolution and the rise of social media throughout my life have made the globe feel within reach, yet sometimes at the cost of local connections.
I've witnessed firsthand the paradox of our era: the simultaneous shrinking of distances and widening separation between us. We're more interconnected with strangers across oceans, but I see the need and desire for the closeness of tight-knit communities.
As an adult, I recognize the responsibility to cultivate that sense of belonging within the spaces I live and exist. It's about fostering connections, nurturing relationships, and weaving the fabric of community wherever I go, amidst the always expanding and always-changing nature of life.
Location
Berwyn Gardens, 2134 Home Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402, near Clinton Avenue — Map