Polyphemus Box

About this work

This box is part of the Lovely and Amazing series. It is wrapped on the inside with papers from various sources including Hart archive images and text from an online posting by Dan Hazlett that have been tinted and, on the outside surface, coated with pigmented wax. The box holds two Polyphemus Moths - one is affixed to the top edge, the second rests on a silk handkerchief supported by a bit of wood. A papyrus wrapped tube holds bits of moth wing, which is protected and magnified by a glass lens. The text appears on the back surface of the box, which is of frosted plexiglass.

Text on the back panel:

Eggs laid by wasps and flies in my
young caterpillars hatch and
consume the insides of these babes.
Those that survive are oft eaten by
squirrels. My only defense is to
distract or confuse with tales of
the great Cyclops Polyphemus.

© 2013
• Dimensions (in inches): 6.5 x 5.75 x 6.5
• Materials:Wood, laserprinted paper, acrylic, wax, silk fabric, glass lenses, moths and parts, wood, metal, plexiglass, laserprint transparency, steel pins. Glazed with a piece of removable sheet acrylic.
• Collection of:the artist, available for purchase
• Links: