David Rogers’ Big Bugs

The bugs are back! In 2014, massive insects constructed from fallen trees, dry branches, and other forest material took over the grounds of the Heritage Museums & Gardens, offering a chance to admire and connect with the miniscule world of bugs on a massive scale. This year, we are excited to welcome back these colossal crawlers, along with a few of their new pollinator friends.

The artist behind this larger-than-life series is David Rogers, a sculpture from Long Island, New York. As a self-taught artist, Rogers formed a love of sculpture early in his life, forming his career around the sculpting and repurposing of natural materials. Rogers unveiled his Big Bugs series in 1994, intending to draw attention to the intricate world of what he calls “hidden gardeners.”

Several old favorites will be returning this year, including Daddy Long Legs and Praying Mantis. Accompanying them will be Rogers’ Pollinators series, a newer collection the artist created to celebrate the vital role bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds play in our global ecosystem.