Sculpture finds home for start of spring

By Lucretia White/reporter

A mannequin sculpture of a woman covered with 500 plastic feather-like butterflies stands tall near the NFAB building on NE Campus.

The sculpture was created by art instructors Andrew Stadler and Scott Parker in fall 2018. The butterfly sculpture was placed on a concrete pad near the parking lot on Jan. 5.

Photo by Joseph Serrata/The Collegian
NE art instructors Andrew Stadler and Scott Parker stand beside their butterfly mannequin creation on display on NE Campus. The sculpture stands in front of the NFAB building. Photo by Joseph Serrata/The Collegian

The sculpture remains untitled, in order to make people wonder what it represents. Drilling holes starting at the base, Parker and Stadler inserted 500 butterflies into the sculpture.

“A lot of people don’t ever go to art galleries or museums,” Stadler said. “So, we figured this was a nice way to expose more people to art.”

The sculpture is positioned high on the concrete pad at eye level and was created with the intent to make something that is cool and accessible to visitors, staff and students.

Photo by Joseph Serrata/The Collegian
The mannequin looks on as students head to class. Photo by Joseph Serrata/The Collegian

The sculpture embodies art that is either admired or hated by the passerby. Public sculptures are made to be speculated and questioned. A great educational opportunity is made possible which advances the understanding of public art on all sides.

“While walking by the sculpture project on campus I noticed it was very eye-catching because of the white butterflies on a nude background, and I enjoy having it on campus,” NE student Mallorie Dennie said.