This encounter would spark a creative journey that would merge art and science, as Betts explored the fascinating world of butterflies and moths.
Betts’ fascination with insects dates back to his childhood. Born in Moncton and a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (2010), he had always been drawn to the intricate beauty of these tiny creatures. When he learned about the NBM’s impressive insect collection, which includes over a quarter of a million specimens, some dating back to the late 1800s, he knew he had stumbled upon a treasure trove of inspiration.
Betts met with Dr. Donald McAlpine, Head of Natural Sciences; Peter Larocque, Head of Humanities; and Mary Sollows, Curatorial Assistant in the Zoology Section, to explore the collection. As they carefully opened cabinet doors, revealing trays upon trays of butterflies and moths, Betts’ eyes widened with wonder. “It was like stepping into a magical world,” he recalls. “I had no idea the collection was so vast and diverse.”
During his research, Betts spent hours sketching and photographing the insects, marveling at the intricate patterns and colors of the butterfly wings. He was particularly drawn to the Luna Moths, a species widespread in the Maritimes, and the exotic tropical butterflies, whose iridescent wings seemed to glow in the light. Using a microscope, he examined the tiny scales and hairs that gave the butterflies their otherworldly sheen.
As Betts’ research progressed, he began to see connections between the natural world and his own artistic vision. He was drawn to the hybrid techniques of Paul Édouard Bourque and the natural subjects of Marc Cyr and Nat Snider, two Acadian artists who had inspired him during his studies. These influences would eventually find their way into his own work, Nymphalidae Phosphorescence, a series of eleven mixed media screen-printed pieces that would become part of Images rémanentes.
