This exhibition presents the findings of artist Jan Hendry’s project investigating moth species across Scotland. Since April 2024, Jan has recorded more than 200 different moth species at 26 locations throughout the country. Each record has been submitted to iRecord for verification and inclusion in the national biodiversity database. Employing traditional fine art and craft methodologies such as fine-brush watercolour and rag rugging, Jan translates empirical field data into visual and material forms, poetically rendering the ecological narratives of her research into visual treasures, sharing the stories of the moths she encountered. The exhibition also includes recent work by invited wildlife photographer Susan Falconer.
Originally studying geography at university, Jan worked as a countryside ranger in Fife for many years, where she raised her family. She later fulfilled a long-held ambition to attend art college, studying Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. Since 2003, she has worked as a practising artist alongside a range of part-time roles, including contracts with countryside and heritage organisations. For many years, Jan has aspired to develop a project that brings together her passion for visual research and ecology, creating meaningful ways to share this work. This project is the realisation of that ambition.
FRAGILE: Moths, Life Systems and Us is an art and ecology project funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland.