The human urge to classify and collect enables us to understand and explore the universe - but that same impulse also makes us fanatical about the things we love from the modern world.
Artist Richard Wilkinson is working on a collection of illustrations that celebrate that trait in both Natural History and modern culture. The first book - ‘Arthropoda Iconicus Volume I: Insects From A Far Away Galaxy’ takes its inspiration from perhaps the most widely recognized subject of obsessive fandom - Star Wars.
Each insect looks subtly like a character, creature or vehicle from our favourite space opera. Some are instantly recognizable. Others take some time to see but you get a great ‘Aha!’ moment when you finally see them! (If you’re a fan of language, the latinised names will give you a clue too!)
Several other collections are in the works: taking inspiration from the world of Pokemon, Superheroes, Ghibli, Sanrio, and Disney, as well as sneakers, vehicles, architecture and anything else we, as fanatics, love to obsess about.
More info: richard-wilkinson.com | Instagram
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I'd have said that's Luke? "Unimanus" meaning something like one-handed? But I admit, I didn't watch the movies with Rey, so maybe she has only one hand as well?
You're right! Well done. There's none from the new films yet.
Load More Replies...Super cool! You should see about molding realistic looking plastic versions of the designs. If you put that on Kickstarter I would throw money at it.
It’s pretty cool for star wars fans and I love that you turned the bugs into faces like General Akbar
This is not only a great idea, but it is executed to perfection. These look a lot like illustrations in books. This is the coolest thing I've seen this week!
Thanks so much! I'm really happy people like them.
Load More Replies...It seems like you only took the ones from first-generation Star Wars. What about Rey, Finn, Poe, Padme, young Anakin, Obi-wan, and- I'm pretty sure you could do her pretty easy - Maz? Great work on most of these, though.
Thanks. Yes - at the moment I've only referenced first generation films in this collection. I've done a few from the other films, as well as some other subjects. Check out my instagram to see them.
Load More Replies...Super cool! You should see about molding realistic looking plastic versions of the designs. If you put that on Kickstarter I would throw money at it.
It’s pretty cool for star wars fans and I love that you turned the bugs into faces like General Akbar
This is not only a great idea, but it is executed to perfection. These look a lot like illustrations in books. This is the coolest thing I've seen this week!
Thanks so much! I'm really happy people like them.
Load More Replies...It seems like you only took the ones from first-generation Star Wars. What about Rey, Finn, Poe, Padme, young Anakin, Obi-wan, and- I'm pretty sure you could do her pretty easy - Maz? Great work on most of these, though.
Thanks. Yes - at the moment I've only referenced first generation films in this collection. I've done a few from the other films, as well as some other subjects. Check out my instagram to see them.
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