Bell Museum of Natural History
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-624-7083
http://www1.umn.edu/bellmuse/index.html
Wings of Paradise: The Great Moth Paintings
of John Cody
"Wings of Paradise,"
an exhibit on display through August 29, 1999 at the University of Minnesota's
Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis, features 62 paintings of
the world's most beautiful silk moths by internationally recognized artist
John Cody.
Dubbed
the "Audubon of moths," Cody lives in Hays, Kan,, where he raises
many of his exotic subjects in his home. His vibrant paintings reveal the
secret lives of the world' s largest moths--silk moths, or Saturniids--found
in many parts of the world, from suburban backyards to tropical rainforests.
With wingspans of up to 11 inches, silk moths are born without a mouth or
stomach and live less than a week--just long enough to mate and lay eggs.
The luna moth, a common silk moth found in Minnesota, is featured among
Cody's work, along with a collection of real moths from the Bell Museum's
scientific collections. (left: front cover of announcement
card for exhibition depicting art of John Cody)
A retired psychiatrist and outspoken environmentalist,
Cody strives to show the beauty of all living creatures through his paintings
of moths and their natural environments. "I realize that moths don't
have the present popularity of wolves, polar bears, bald eagles, snow leopards,
giant pandas, elephants and whales," Cody said. "My main motivation
is not money, but the desire to make the public aware of moths and to evoke
concern that we are losing wonderful creatures capable of producing great
visual joy."
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rights reserved.
Dubbed
the "Audubon of moths," Cody lives in Hays, Kan,, where he raises
many of his exotic subjects in his home. His vibrant paintings reveal the
secret lives of the world' s largest moths--silk moths, or Saturniids--found
in many parts of the world, from suburban backyards to tropical rainforests.
With wingspans of up to 11 inches, silk moths are born without a mouth or
stomach and live less than a week--just long enough to mate and lay eggs.
The luna moth, a common silk moth found in Minnesota, is featured among
Cody's work, along with a collection of real moths from the Bell Museum's
scientific collections. (left: front cover of announcement
card for exhibition depicting art of John Cody)