Are Bugs Beautiful? An Artist Showcases Colorful Critters In a Positive Light | Cincinnati Refined

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If the name Catherine Viox sounds familiar, it’s because she’s filled quite a few of Cincinnati Refined’s galleries with her wonderful photos. Food, fashion, fun spots around town—she’s covered it all. She’s a Cincinnati-based photojournalist with a fine arts degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Her work, as seen through her collection titled ‘Synthetic’, explores biology through a lens that makes the subject more aesthetically pleasing. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

‘Synthetic’ is meant to alter one’s perception of creatures they see every day. “These anatomical studies double as expressions of desire and imagination and explore the dichotomy of ‘natural’ versus ‘synthetic’,” says Catherine. “They also explore the stories each creature has to tell through the wear and tear on their skin.” / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Her collection also features skeletons of other creatures, like that of a seahorse, lizard, and birds. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Catherine makes the images using experimental photographic processes. Using a flatbed scanner, she’s able to enlarge the bugs to 30+ inches on the longest side, allowing observers to see details they’d never expect to see. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Indian Flower Mantis{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Blue Jewel Beetle{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

‘Synthetic’ is meant to alter one’s perception of creatures they see every day. “These anatomical studies double as expressions of desire and imagination and explore the dichotomy of ‘natural’ versus ‘synthetic’,” says Catherine. “They also explore the stories each creature has to tell through the wear and tear on their skin.” / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Frog Beetle{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

The jewel beetles, lanternflies, and the weevil (the “blue-striped fella who looks like he’s dancing” as Catherine puts it) are some of her favorites in the group. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20<p></p>

Blue Weevil{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

A cocoon / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

If the name Catherine Viox sounds familiar, it’s because she’s filled quite a few of Cincinnati Refined’s galleries with her wonderful photos. Food, fashion, fun spots around town—she’s covered it all. She’s a Cincinnati-based photojournalist with a fine arts degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Her work, as seen through her collection titled ‘Synthetic’, explores biology through a lens that makes the subject more aesthetically pleasing. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Japanese Beetle{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

All of the photographed remains were either found and collected by Catherine at random or purchased online. As the concept has been evolving, she’s ordered certain creatures online if there are specific ones she has in mind that she isn’t likely to find on the ground in Cincinnati. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

“I invite viewers to experience the spectacle of biology with a side of magic and wonder,” says Catherine. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

‘Synthetic’ is meant to alter one’s perception of creatures they see every day. “These anatomical studies double as expressions of desire and imagination and explore the dichotomy of ‘natural’ versus ‘synthetic’,” says Catherine. “They also explore the stories each creature has to tell through the wear and tear on their skin.” / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Fiery Jewel Beetle{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

The jewel beetles, lanternflies, and the weevil (the “blue-striped fella who looks like he’s dancing” as Catherine puts it) are some of her favorites in the group. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Catherine makes the images using experimental photographic processes. Using a flatbed scanner, she’s able to enlarge the bugs to 30+ inches on the longest side, allowing observers to see details they’d never expect to see. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

If the name Catherine Viox sounds familiar, it’s because she’s filled quite a few of Cincinnati Refined’s galleries with her wonderful photos. Food, fashion, fun spots around town—she’s covered it all. She’s a Cincinnati-based photojournalist with a fine arts degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Her work, as seen through her collection titled ‘Synthetic’, explores biology through a lens that makes the subject more aesthetically pleasing. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

A gallery of ‘Synthetic’ was shown at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center from February 14 through March 13, 2020. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Her collection also features skeletons of other creatures like that of a seahorse, lizard, and birds. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Blue Lanternfly{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

All of the photographed remains were either found and collected by Catherine at random or purchased online. As the concept has been evolving, she’s ordered certain creatures online if there are specific ones she has in mind that she isn’t likely to find on the ground in Cincinnati. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

‘Synthetic’ is meant to alter one’s perception of creatures they see every day. “These anatomical studies double as expressions of desire and imagination and explore the dichotomy of ‘natural’ versus ‘synthetic’,” says Catherine. “They also explore the stories each creature has to tell through the wear and tear on their skin.” / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

If the name Catherine Viox sounds familiar, it’s because she’s filled quite a few of Cincinnati Refined’s galleries with her wonderful photos. Food, fashion, fun spots around town—she’s covered it all. She’s a Cincinnati-based photojournalist with a fine arts degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Her work, as seen through her collection titled ‘Synthetic’, explores biology through a lens that makes the subject more aesthetically pleasing. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

“I invite viewers to experience the spectacle of biology with a side of magic and wonder,” says Catherine. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Swallowtail{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Catherine makes the images using experimental photographic processes. Using a flatbed scanner, she’s able to enlarge the bugs to 30+ inches on the longest side, allowing observers to see details they’d never expect to see. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Damselfly{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Leaf Beetle{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

All of the photographed remains were either found and collected by Catherine at random or purchased online. As the concept has been evolving, she’s ordered certain creatures online if there are specific ones she has in mind that she isn’t likely to find on the ground in Cincinnati. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Dung Beetle{ }/ Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20<p></p>

Blue Carpenter Bee / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

‘Synthetic’ is meant to alter one’s perception of creatures they see every day. “These anatomical studies double as expressions of desire and imagination and explore the dichotomy of ‘natural’ versus ‘synthetic’,” says Catherine. “They also explore the stories each creature has to tell through the wear and tear on their skin.” / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20<p></p>

Catherine makes the images using experimental photographic processes. Using a flatbed scanner, she’s able to enlarge the bugs to 30+ inches on the longest side, allowing observers to see details they’d never expect to see. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

Catherine makes the images using experimental photographic processes. Using a flatbed scanner, she’s able to enlarge the bugs to 30+ inches on the longest side, allowing observers to see details they’d never expect to see. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 4.12.20

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