These unique mixed media artworks explore the importance of healthy pollinator populations to maintain healthy ecosystems, and our interdependence upon these species to produce the fruits and vegetables we need to thrive.
There is Dancing in the Hive
There is Dancing in the Hive
Imagine standing near a beehive during a beekeeping demonstration, mesmerized by the intricate dances bees are performing right in front of your eyes to share information about the location and distance of pollen and nectar with their sisters. Can you imagine the steady hum of their vibrating wings filling the air as the beekeeper's voice explains their coordinated behavior? Picture the sweet scent of honey and beeswax mingling with gentle woodsmoke from the smoker as you watch these remarkable creatures communicate through movement. You may already know that bees pollinate a third of our food supply, make honey through collective effort, and speak to each other in a language of motion. The copper and golden pigments applied to the aluminum surface sparkle uniformly across the artwork, creating a shimmering, soft texture that catches and reflects light throughout the day. The metallic shimmer echoes the dancing communication happening within the hive, transforming the bees' choreographed communication into precious visual poetry. This unique mixed media artwork expresses both the wonder of bee communication and the invaluable role these remarkable insects play in sustaining life on Earth.
Envision this luminous artwork in your kitchen, dining room, or study, where the shifting light throughout the day animates the metallic surface just as bees animate the hive. Guests are drawn to the shimmer and sparkle, asking about the beekeeping and sharing their own concern for declining bee populations or their efforts to plant pollinator gardens. The piece connects to that universal desire to protect the creatures who sustain our food systems and the beauty of communication beyond words. This artwork celebrates the precious dance of bee language and our dependence on their irreplaceable work.
“I am fascinated by bees because they communicate by dancing, coordinate their behavior, the environmental niche they fulfill in pollination, and their ability to make honey. I had the opportunity to make this photograph when visiting a beekeeping demonstration. I applied a copper and golden pigment to the aluminum plate before I applied the image “There is Dancing in the Hive.” It has a subtle copper and golden sparkle and the aluminum reflects the light with a shimmering soft texture.”
This one of a kind mixed media artwork on aluminum panel combines photography with hand-applied copper and golden metallic pigments. The aluminum surface is coated with archival UV protective varnish to preserve the metallic shimmer and photographic image for generations. Only this single artwork exists, making it an exclusive opportunity to own a piece that honors both scientific fascination and artistic innovation. The shimmering texture creates different visual experiences depending on viewing angle and lighting conditions throughout the day. The watermark visible online does not appear on the actual artwork. If you need help envisioning how it will look, a complimentary digital mockup is available so you can see exactly how it will appear in your space before adding it to your collection. Contact Ivana for this service.
The artwork has a subtlecopper and golden sparkle and the aluminum reflects the light with a shimmering soft texture. This is a one of a kind handmade 16" x 20" (plus frame) artwork on an aluminum panel with mixed media and digital image transfer using archival pigment inks.Artwork is finished with a UV light protective coating so that they can be displayed without glass, and it is signed in verso. It comes with the frame shown.
