cashmere, upcycled copper, silk, wool, reflective thread

Combining degrees in Entomology, Wildlife Ecology, and Science Communication, Michelle Schwengel-Regala worked as a science and medical illustrator for fifteen years. After moving to Hawai‘i, her storytelling emphasizing regional and global natural history shifted to fine art in the form of metalpoint drawings, fiber sculptures, immersive installations, and participatory projects often utilizing non-traditional and upcycled materials.

Responder updated this value. This sculpture is part of my “In/Finite Loop”series depicting species in 2D and 3D formats. This is an abstracted representation of an endemic flightless O’ahu tree cricket species. The fibers match the organism’s coloration, and the dimensions are approximately 3.5 life size. Subtle surface details embroidered with reflective thread are a spectrogram — a visual version of sounds made by P. alternatus males during courtship.