# Bugs as Art Christopher Marley Uses Insects as Design Elements By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-01-20 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bugs-as-art References: [toothing.blogspot](http://toothing.blogspot.com/2010/01/christopher-marley-insect-art-critters.html) & [cbsnews](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/10/sunday/main6078368.shtml) If you don’t think of bugs as art, Salem, Oregon artist, Christopher Marley may change your mind. He uses [insects as design elements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bug-collection-1) in [elaborate visual compositions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-like-heaven-art-exhibition) the same way that painters use color, texture and form to paint. Marley pays local collectors for the [exotic specimens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charm-collection) and says the money helps protect the fragile tropical ecosystems from which they are harvested because there is an economic incentive to preserve them. His work has been collected in a [book](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764946196?ie=UTF8&tag=gorgetalk-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0764946196) as well as a wall [calendar](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764947265?ie=UTF8&tag=gorgetalk-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0764947265). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Insect Art:** Christopher Marley has found a unique way to incorporate insects into art, paving the way for insect art as a new form of visual expression. - **Eco-collecting:** Local collectors can protect fragile ecosystems by collecting exotic insects and providing economic incentive to preserve them, presenting new opportunities for eco-friendly collecting practices. - **Specimen Repurposing:** Incorporating insects as design elements promotes the repurposing of specimens as art, leading to potential innovations in sustainable design. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** The art industry has new opportunities for incorporating unusual design elements, and creating sustainable pieces from repurposed specimens. - **Entomology:** In the field of entomology, collecting practices can be reimagined to be more sustainable with the repurposing of specimens for art. - **Eco-tourism:** Bringing attention to fragile tropical ecosystems through local collectors and eco-friendly collecting practices can create new opportunities for eco-tourism. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Insect-Inspired Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-bronze-sculptures.md) - [Bug-Inspired Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murder-hornet-ring.md) - [Life-Sized Puzzled Insect Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-collection.md) - [Biology-Inspired Porcelain Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shiyuan-xu.md) - [Biomimetic Fashion Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nonhuman-life.md) - [Insect Orchestra Concerts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cicada-symphony-orkinstra.md) - [Edible 3D-Printed Insects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-edible-insects.md) - [Insect-Inspired Technical Baggage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metamorphosis-collection.md) - [Beetle-Inspired Painted Lugagges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amanda-wachob.md)