The Butterfly Effect 2017

Camilla d’Errico presents us with "The Butterfly Effect," a contemporary work rich with symbolism. The butterfly, an emblem of transformation and the soul since ancient Greece, here takes on a surreal twist, obscuring the figure’s eyes. Consider how the butterfly motif has fluttered through art history, from ancient Egyptian frescoes depicting Psyche with butterfly wings, to its delicate presence in Dutch vanitas paintings, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of life. In this painting, the butterfly is adorned with eyes, evoking a sense of altered perception, reminiscent of Argus Panoptes, the all-seeing giant of Greek myth. The flowing rivulets of color cascading from the figure’s hair suggest a release, a shedding of old forms, yet the eyes on the butterfly introduce a layer of introspection, hinting at the psychological weight of transformation. This image resonates with the power of collective memory and the subconscious, where symbols converge to evoke deep-seated emotions and associations, revealing the enduring human fascination with metamorphosis and vision.