Assassin Bug weighs in at 200 lbs and is 7 ft long. Black Walnut and Red Cedar
Inspiration can hit at any time and many spectacular pieces of art came about from a mundane moment and an artist’s touch. Such is the story of New York artist David Rogers and his Big Bugs, currently on exhibit at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center located in Orange, Tx. One naturally altered tree’s shape spoke to Rogers, who proceeded to give said damaged tree new life through sculpture and the rest, as they say, is history.
Along Came A Spider
Always the rectifying artist, David began steel sculpting at age of 13 and by 15 began using salvaged and scavenged organic material to express himself. His skills acquired as a carpenter and boatwright’s apprentice are evident in his masterfully joined and highly polished Big Bugs. Since 1994, Rogers exhibits have joined efforts with botanical gardens and educational institutes, including Disney World, in over 40 states to promote sustainable material choices and educate the importance of even the smallest (if not the most critical) creatures in life’s cycle.
The Ants Come Marching Two By Two
Scattered throughout Shangri La, past the Victorian Butterfly House and Here We Grow! Children’s Garden, you can glimpse 10 of Rogers‘ Big Bug sculptures. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of bugs, now is still a fantastic time to take in all Shangri-La has to offer. The Bird Blind at the Heronry offers a superb opportunity to witness the hatching and rearing of baby Great Egrets in there natural environment or one can take a boat ride along Adam’s Bayou to an outlying education pavillion. Not to mention the hundreds of different blooms the gardens boast.
Weighing in at 600 lbs , Daddy Long Legsis 10 ft tall and made from Red Cedar and Willow
You can see these colossal critters for yourself by visiting Shangri-La Botanical Gardens at 2111 West Park Avenue, Orange, Texas by May 28th. For more information on this exhibit and future activities you can click here, call 409.670.9113 or shoot an email to [email protected]
