NorfleetB 44 Heroes-WeaSDC Barbara Norfleet

The composition presents three rhinoceros beetles arranged on a series of stacked blocks against a dramatic, dusky sky backdrop. The arrangement immediately establishes a hierarchy or staged presentation; the insects are not depicted in their natural habitat but rather as if participating in some form of competition or display.
Here we see the beetle positioned centrally and slightly lower than the others, its posture suggesting an action mid-flight or perhaps a defensive maneuver. Its legs are splayed, antennae extended, creating a dynamic sense of movement that contrasts with the static poses of the flanking beetles. The central figure’s darker coloration further emphasizes its prominence within the arrangement.
The two beetles on either side appear more formally presented, their bodies angled towards the viewer and their horns prominently displayed. Their positioning atop the blocks suggests dominance or victory. The texture of the blocks themselves is noteworthy; they are rough-hewn and irregular, providing a stark contrast to the smooth, polished exoskeletons of the insects. This textural difference might allude to the natural versus the artificial, or perhaps the raw potential contained within these creatures.
The color palette contributes significantly to the overall mood. The deep purples and pinks of the sky evoke a sense of twilight or an otherworldly atmosphere. This subdued lighting casts shadows that accentuate the beetles’ forms, highlighting their sculptural qualities.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of competition, hierarchy, and perhaps even the anthropomorphization of nature. By placing these creatures on pedestals and arranging them in a staged setting, the artist invites contemplation about human constructs of power and status, mirroring them onto the natural world. The deliberate presentation suggests an examination of how we observe and categorize living beings, potentially questioning our own systems of evaluation.