Jennifer Angus ‘Lady Bug’ Exhibit Transforms Insects Into Art

Jennifer Angus’s “Lady Bug” installation at Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman Museum of Art does something surprising: it takes that natural squeamish feeling many of us have about insects and turns it into genuine wonder.

At first glance, the gallery walls appear to be patterned wallpaper. But a closer look reveals that the intricate designs are actually made of real, carefully arranged insects. The effect is both stunning and thought-provoking, inviting visitors to rethink their assumptions about the natural world.

What I found especially interesting is how the installation honors three pioneering women in entomology: Cynthia Longfield, Alice Balfour, and Margaret Collins. Their research shaped what we know about insects today, yet their stories are often overlooked. Angus brings them forward in a powerful, visual way through the use of a predominantly pink wall color, which feels like a subtle nod to these influential women.

Beyond its beauty, the exhibit serves as a reminder of how essential insects are to our ecosystems. Pollination, decomposition, and biodiversity all depend on these tiny creatures we often ignore or avoid.

Lady Bug encourages us to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the fragile, fascinating systems that support life. It’s an exhibit that stays with you long after you leave the gallery.

Hurry to see the exhibit, which runs through December 5, 2025. Leave the yuck factor at home, and come prepared to be curious. According to the Angus website, “Not only are the insects I use not endangered, they are repeatedly used from exhibition to exhibition, some are more than 20 years old,” where Angus talks about how her work has evolved.

To learn more about the artist, Jennifer Angus, and the exhibit, visit: https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/visual-arts/zuckerman/exhibitions/index.php