Caligo

Caligo by Carola van Dyke is an embroidered, multi-coloured butterfly wing, meticulously crafted from thread and wire and presented under a Victorian/French glass dome on a wooden base.

Part of a series, Caligo reflects van Dyke’s refined textile practice, where stitching becomes both drawing and sculptural construction. The careful layering of thread creates depth, texture, and subtle tonal transitions, echoing the fragile complexity of natural forms.

Encased in glass, the work evokes the tradition of 19th-century natural history displays, while simultaneously drawing attention to the richness of nature at a time of mounting environmental threat. The dome functions both as protection and as a symbol of preservation — inviting contemplation on beauty, vulnerability, and conservation.