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Poets and artists

Krystyna Sochacki

I am a 3D designer-maker specialising in silversmithing.

Artwork - Reflection Exhibition – Green Wood Centre, Coalbrookdale, Telford. 22nd May – 5th June 2011

I have collaborated with poet Jane Seabourne to produce a collection of mixed media 3D pieces responding to her poems.

‘The Etymology of Lepidoptery’ is my interpretation of her poem, ‘Regarding the Green-Veined White’, in which Jane explores the variety of names for butterflies around the world, the scientific method of naming and labeling and a more instinctive, impressionistic way of knowing.

I wanted to capture the charm of Victorian and Edwardian collection cabinets and produce my own version, inspired by the intriguing roots of the names by which butterflies are known in different languages. I did this by producing a group of butterflies portraying a literal translation of the names.

The collection of butterflies is mostly made from recycled materials.



Detail from the ‘Etymology of Lepidoptery’
Brass-hinged butterfly, inspired by the German word for butterfly, ‘Tagfalter’ meaning ‘Day-hinge’.




Detail from the ‘Etymology of Lepidoptery’
Recycled plastic optical lenses inspired by the Russian word ‘Dushichka’, meaning ‘Soul’, and the Latin ‘Papillio papillonis’, translated as ‘Soul of a dead person or ghost’.




‘Recorded Flutter’
‘Recorded Flutter’ is made from discarded vinyl. I wanted this piece to capture the relationship between Jane’s poems and the audio element of her spoken words. Visually I wanted to capture the bursting effect of a group of butterflies appearing to shatter like pieces of a broken jigsaw.