Sasakia Charonda
We have based our print studies on the Great Japanese Purple Emperor butterfly known as Sasakia Charonda. A majestic, much loved and respected symbol for Japanese wildlife and the nation of Japan in general.
Relating to our theme of Submersion, Isolation, Evolution and Transformation we have based our print aesthetics on the Butterfly. In its very nature the butterfly demonstrates our theme in a beautiful and mysterious way. The cocoon, a not so glamorous or aesthetically pleasing phenomena is the butterflies version of a bath tub full of water, isolating the lavae from the outside world giving it time to evolve and transform in solitary into a delicately beautiful creature. A magical transformation which has both inspired and established the theme of the upcoming collection SUIBOTSU.
Satisfied only with Auntheticity, we naturally decided to cast our lens towards Japan and therein we found and fell in love with the Great Purple Emperor. It's title alone commands authority and value, traists we are channelling into the collection.
The Purple Emperor feeds predominantly on hackberries. Due to how tall the tress grow the Emperor spends most of its life in the upper canopies of the forest only coming down to feed. Sadly because these trees are being cut down partly due to the heights they reach along with other factors, the Great Emperor is severly endangered.
We have taken inspiration from the Emperor's wing pattern and colour, adapting it to to our muted realistic tones of ocean blues and greens. Our aim is to celebrating it's majesty whilst highlighting the plight of one of nature's many wonders, THE GREAT PURPLE EMPEROR.
