I was inspired to make this piece after seeing an electron-microscope photo of the underside of a ladybird in a newspaper. It was something that I had seen many times before in my life, but not in this much detail. I loved it's mechanical beauty and the efficiency of it's design.
I liked the idea of an exact reproduction being put entirely out of context by its scale and the reaction of viewers when they realise what the subject matter actually is.
I made the original from clay and the final piece is cast in iron and glass-fibre. It measures 46 x 39 cm. It is about 3 cm deep.
This piece is not typical of my work, but somehow ties in with it very well. I have always been fascinated by the living world, particularly invertebrates and this has been a common thread through much of my work.
Edition of 50

Date: 30/04/2000