© José Luis Fariñas / Courtesy of Miyako Yoshinaga Gallery, JLF “The beginning of the emotions”

Written by Margarita Matta

Photo edited by Tania Flores

Copy Edited by Chloë Rain

At the intersection of photography and drawing, humans and insects, lies Lasting Life, a compelling exhibition at Miyako Yoshinaga gallery. The Gallery’s specialization in international artists is highlighted in Lasting Life, showcasing the photographic elements of Canadian artist Dominique Paul and the ink-and-watercolor etchings of Cuban artist José Luis Fariñas. Both artists explore the intricate relationship between insect and human in their own unique portrayals, creating an extremely thought-provoking show.

© Dominique Paul / Courtesy of Miyako Yoshinaga Gallery, DPA “Insects of Suriname 28”

Dominique Paul’s Insects of Surinam 28, an archival pigment print on Hahnemüle Photo Rag, expresses a collage-created form of a woman, accompanied by elements of nature and insects. A large butterfly adorns the woman’s head as if a halo on an angel, giving a slightly otherworldly effect to the work. The complexity of the piece continues as we work our way down, with caterpillars, leaves, and vines intertwining with the body, making the line between human and nature more and more blurry. The use of collage in Paul’s work is extremely intricate and purposeful, allowing for the viewer to “question the durability of the entire ecosphere in these times of human exploitation of the planet’s resources,” according to the gallery. The intricacy of Paul’s collage work draws us in, and the environmental undertones call for action after observing the works.

© José Luis Fariñas / Courtesy of Miyako Yoshinaga Gallery, JLF “Around the soul”

Conversely, Fariñas' works envelop a more cohesive, harmonious feel on paper, using a more philosophical (rather than Paul’s computed, scientific) approach to the relationship between human and insect. For example, upon first glance Fariñas’ Around the Soul solely contains a mud-colored watercolor of a dismembered insect, wings frozen in motion and head slightly detached to the left. However, as you walk closer to the work, the detailed motifs etched into the work are more and more clear. The beauty of Fariñas work is the open-ended interpretation allowed by the freedom in his etchings, allowing for the viewer to create their own philosophical perspective of his work.

© Dominique Paul / Courtesy of Miyako Yoshinaga Gallery, DPA “Insects of Surname 21”

Both artists not only explore a unique topic, but also do so using one of a kind, compelling approaches. Although vastly different in mediums, their works come together at the intersectionality between human and insect. What is this exhibition teaching us about nature? What conclusions can we draw from the works of Fariñas and Paul? There are many answers to these questions, and by attending this show we can draw our own.

This exhibition will be featured until August 5th at Miyako Yoshinaga gallery, 24 E 65th St, New York City.

to view more of this exhibition visit here.