Eclosion

Eclosion, 2021
76 x 101 cm
Acrylic on canvas
 
Once everything has been dissolved the imaginal discs remain, a dot-to-dot blueprint of a butterfly. These discs use the protein sludge around it to fuel the cell division that will create the body, antennae, legs, eyes, genitals and wings of the new form. Following this it is time to emerge through the process of eclosion. The butterfly releases hormones to soften the chrysalis and then pushes it open with its legs to expose the face. Once released the new creature hangs from the chrysalis and pumps meconium into the venation structures of the wings to unfurl and expand them. This meconium then hardens, forming the boning required for flight.