SHOCK READER
Stephen Shooster, known as Shoosty, presents “Shock Reader” (2023) at the Shoosty Bugs exhi- bition in Daytona’s Museum of Arts and Sciences, a 36” square piece on 18mm silk twill. Inspired by the African water bug, specifically the giant water bug (family Belostomatidae), this artwork captures the insect’s unique biology and cultural resonance. Giant water bugs are aquatic predators, often called “toe-biters” for their painful bite, thriving in African freshwater habitats. The “shocking hair-like head- piece” depicted is likely an artistic interpretation of their antennae, which help detect vibrations in water to locate prey, enhancing their role as ambush hunt- ers. Shoosty adorns the beetle with intricate African patterns—geometric and tribal motifs in vibrant reds, yellows, and blacks—reflecting the continent’s rich artistic heritage, from Ashanti textiles to Zulu bead- work, blending natural and cultural narratives.
Shoosty’s Chromatic Fusionism shines, merging the scientific precision of vector art with a fusion of civilizations, drawing from African aesthetics and digital innovation. The silk medium ties the work to the insect world, emphasizing interconnectedness. This piece recalls the vibrant, pattern-driven art of Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, who also weaves African motifs into global contexts, though Shoosty’s focus on entomology adds a unique layer.
“NATURE HOLDS THE KEY TO OUR AESTHETIC, INTELLECTUAL, COGNI- TIVE, AND EVEN SPIRITUAL SATISFACTION” - E.O. WILSON, NATURALIST
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