Shadows in Candlelight

Butterflies hold deep and powerful symbolic significance in many cultures, representing endurance, change, hope, and even resurrection in some religions. For Ciserra, her artistic exploration with these delicate creatures began when she received her first butterfly as a gift from a fellow artist. Intrigued by the challenge of incorporating it into her work, she delved into the intricate process of handling these creatures with care—from re-hydrating and pinning to drying and arranging.

Through many trials and errors, Ciserra completed her first Still//Life, marking the beginning of her butterfly-inspired art. To ethically source her specimens, she has since collaborated with numerous sanctuaries worldwide, seeking out places where butterflies can live out their natural lives before being collected upon passing. Upon arrival at her Oakland studio, the delicate creatures undergo a painstaking process to transform into unique and stunning works of art.

Inspired by the women she sees on the streets and her own imagination, Ciserra uses stencils to create captivating artwork that captures the beauty of both the butterflies and the human form. The butterflies are artfully arranged to display their brilliance and unique coloring, while the stenciled woman is painted on the underside of the glass, symbolizing the beauty within each of us.

Ciserra's butterfly art is a testament to her dedication to creating ethically sourced and sustainable works of art that reflect the beauty of the natural world. Each piece is a masterpiece that embodies the transformative power of art and the enduring symbolic significance of the butterfly.