Grant Lingard

Aotearoa New Zealand, b.1961, d.1995

Heavenly: The Collector of Beauty

  • 1991
  • Mixed media
  • Gift of Teri Johnson, 2022
  • 352 x 352mm
  • 2022/018.a-c

Presented like a trophy for our enjoyment and inspection, the tin butterfly trapped in this large glass jar suggests the ephemeral nature of attraction; what was once natural, captivating and beautiful soon begins to fade when deprived of its freedom. Above it, in a panel painted with black mascara - an unnatural, but equally effective, tool of seduction - is preserved .

Exhibition History

other labels about this work
  • Presented like a trophy for our enjoyment and inspection, the tin butterfly trapped in this large glass jar suggests the ephemerality of attraction; what was once natural, captivating and beautiful soon begins to fade when deprived of its freedom. Above it, in a panel painted with shimmering blue eye shadow, another kind of beauty – synthetic and superficial, but perhaps equally seductive – is preserved .