Of Course We Prayed Barbara Norfleet

The composition presents a carefully arranged tableau featuring insects within a constructed environment. The background is a muted beige wall, textured with subtle variations in tone that suggest age or weathering. A circular light source, positioned centrally and slightly above the insect grouping, casts a diffused glow, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Several rocks of varying sizes are scattered across the sandy ground plane, providing visual anchors and contributing to a sense of miniature landscape. The insects themselves are meticulously placed; a praying mantis is prominently featured, perched atop a slender branch that angles diagonally across the frame. Its posture suggests alertness, perhaps even predatory intent. Around it, several stick insects extend their limbs in seemingly random directions, adding to the overall feeling of controlled chaos. A cluster of beetles and other smaller insects are gathered near the base of the arrangement, some appearing to interact with a coiled vine-like structure.
The artist’s deliberate staging evokes a sense of artificiality; this is not a natural scene but rather a constructed narrative. The lighting, the backdrop, and the precise positioning of each insect element contribute to this feeling. One possible subtext lies in the exploration of fragility and vulnerability within a seemingly contained world. The insects, despite their inherent resilience, appear exposed under the stark light.
The arrangement also invites contemplation on themes of observation and control. Here we see a deliberate attempt to capture and display these creatures, prompting questions about humanity’s relationship with the natural world – specifically, our tendency to observe, categorize, and manipulate it for aesthetic or scientific purposes. The circular light could be interpreted as a symbol of scrutiny, highlighting the insects under an artificial gaze. Ultimately, the work seems to ponder the boundaries between nature and artifice, prompting reflection on the constructed realities we create and inhabit.