SINGAPORE: A Singapore Art Museum exhibition has drawn criticism from the public. An installation using butterfly and bee specimens has attracted the concern of a local conservationist group.

109 butterflies were pierced neatly on dinner plates, supposedly symbolising the relationship between the powerful and powerless in Indonesia.

 The installation belongs to Indonesian artist FX Harsono.

 And it’s being skewered by 40 members from an online social network called, ButterflyCircle.

They’re concerned the insects might have been deliberately killed.

Chir Chor Pang, conservationist & member, ButterflyCircle, said: “It’s a disgusting display of butterflies. There’s no running away from suspecting that these butterflies are pristine and live specimens – purposely selected by the artist through his request, and mounted in the fashion that they’re presented.” 

But the museum said the artist had acquired the specimens from farms in Indonesia.

Tan Boon Hui, director, Singapore Art Museum, said: “These were insects collected at the end of their lives and immediately treated by a taxidermist and formed into the posture or shape that he requires for the installation.”

Some visitors were not as affected.

“Even if it’s ugly and it offends people, at least I know that this man is trying to create a social or political message,” said one visitor.

 “He has not crossed any ethical boundaries because the bees and butterflies were already dead before they were pierced,” said another visitor.

FX Harsono’s exhibits have attracted 25,000 visitors since March and will be on display till May.

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