Aleocharinae: An Entomologist and an Artist showcases the extraordinary collaboration between Benoit Godin and Luann Baker-Johnson. This unique exhibition bridges art and science through stunning blown glass sculptures inspired by the intricate genitalia of obscure rove beetles (Aleocharinae). These unexpected creations reveal the hidden wonders of the forest floor, encouraging us to see the natural world in a new and thought-provoking way.
Each beetle in the exhibition is represented through three elements: a preserved rove beetle specimen prepared by Benoit, a blown glass sculpture of its genitalia created collaboratively by Luann and Benoit, and an accompanying art piece by Luann. Since the intricate structure of beetle genitalia is key to species identification, these glass sculptures highlight the often-overlooked details that scientists use for classification. Just as beetles are nature’s recyclers, Luann crafted all her pieces and the mounts for the glass using only repurposed materials she had been saving for the perfect project. The largest piece features a beetle on Tyvek, scaled to 1,500 times its actual size to match the proportions of the glass sculpture.
While each beetle is identified with its full scientific name (such as Gyrophaena keeni Casey, 1911), all the artwork in the exhibition was created between 2023 and 2025.
This collection reflects a deep and enthusiastic commitment to both scientific inquiry and artistic expression. By transforming microscopic biological structures into large-scale sculptures, Aleocharinae: An Entomologist and an Artist invites you to reconsider the beauty, complexity, and essential role of even the smallest creatures in our ecosystems.
