On View in West Bend

“Into the Blue is an immersive exhibition by Madison-based artist Jennifer Angus that transforms MOWA’s Hyde Gallery into a temple of nature, where the artist’s installation includes unexpected and captivating medium choices.” Using meticulously arranged dried insects—such as cicadas and a variety of leaf-mimicking species—Angus creates intricate patterns that reveal the beauty and fragility of our ecosystem. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on nature’s delicate balance and the interconnectedness of all life.

Angus transforms gallery walls into mosaics composed of visually striking insects, while sculptural elements include bell jars containing distinctive miniature environments. Her awe-inspiring creations emphasize the essential role insects play in both natural ecosystems and human life while raising awareness of the environmental threats they face. By blending art with nature, Into the Blue challenges viewers to see insects in a new light, urging us to protect these vulnerable creatures for the sake of their beauty and the future of our planet.

Angus is a professor in the Design Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She holds a BFA from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work has been exhibited widely, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC, and the Textile Museum of Canada in Toronto. Work by Angus is held in public collections worldwide, including the Museum of Art and Design in New York, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa, Canada, and the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.