The butterfly effect

Natural artist Nick Jeffrey is setting the art world all of a flutter. His signature pieces involve setting real butterflies in resin or a perspex casing. Some are backed with a mirror effect so they appear to be moving and the result - whether a stand-alone piece or integrated into a piece of furniture - is a beautiful and intriguing vision.

But before those green alarm bells go off, panic not. All of the butterflies Nick uses are sustainably sourced, and he goes to the ends of the earth to find them. Farmers worldwide are running butterfly breeding projects to help bolster populations which are threatened by disease and habitat destruction. White Nick uses a small portion of them in his work none are rare or endangered.

This gent has had his fingers in many an arty pie. From food and wine to advertising and photography. He started up as an artist around seven years ago but it’s only in the past couple of years that his work has really come to the fore with the likes of Tina Turner and Roger Federer buying pieces.

Nick is now taking part in the artists in residence scheme at the InterContinantal Park Lane where his pieces are displayed in the lobby as well as in some of the suites. If you happen to be staying – or just passing by – why not pop in and have a chat to Nick about his work.

And for his next project...? A life-sized resin sculpture of a silver-back gorilla with a single cluster of red butterflies at its heart. There’s a ‘save our rainforests’ message in there somewhere but personally I just can’t wait to see how he pulls this off. Watch this space...Move over Damien, Nick Jeffrey’s in town!

All images from http://www.grandyart.com/