Xerces Blue and Morant’s Blue – Ink on Shikishi by Haruka Miyamoto
In this meditative sumi ink composition, Haruka Miyamoto portrays two extinct butterfly species—the Xerces Blue and Morant’s Blue—through a series of evocative ink impressions. The artwork captures the subtle differences in shape and texture between the species, progressing from abstracted forms to refined detail. Executed on a traditional Japanese shikishi board, this piece exemplifies Miyamoto’s integration of classical brush techniques with contemporary ecological themes.
Part of her ongoing Instinct Animals exhibition, the work complements her leather sculptures and other ink drawings that honor vanished species. It is a quiet elegy to fragility and form, rendered with exceptional control and simplicity.
Artist: Haruka Miyamoto
Year: 2025
Medium: Sumi ink on Japanese shikishi board
Support: Traditional gold-trimmed shikishi (cardboard panel)
Dimensions: 24.2 × 27.3 cm (approx. 9.5 × 10.7 inches)
Signature: Lower left, red seal and “Haruka Miyamoto”
Series: Shikishi Art Project
Shipping: Ships from Japan via EMS or UPS, with full tracking