Gall Wasp Nests Gall wasps nests are growths caused by the insertion of gall wasp egss into an oak tree's wood. A chemical produced by the insect causes the wood to grow at a greater rate than normal—producing the gall. The larva feeds off the gall until it is large enough to eat its way out. Professor Alfred Kinsey, noted sex research pioneer, got his start as a gall wasp expert.   Artist John Graham uses the traditions of the specimen drawing and papermaking craft as conceptual axes addressing the grotesque and hard-to-define shapes developed by the Gall Wasp. Part turd-on-a-stick, part “Alien,” and part academic draftsmanship, Graham's drawings of gall wasp nests court the philatelic aesthetic of finely wrought paper supporting the grotesque notion of critic Colin Gardner's Diabolical Beauty. Graphite pencil, cotton and blue jean paper courtesy of UCSB's papermaking facility. Dimensions 6" x 10", taller or shorter.

Gall Wasp 1

Gall Wasp 2

Gall Wasp 4

Gall Wasp Small

Gall Wasp 5

Gall Wasp 10

Gall Wasp 7

Gall Wasp11

GALL WASP NEXTS / WESTERN CARTRIDGE SWATCHES / THE ZODIAC BOX

180 DAYS IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS
CARTOONS / LANDSCAPES & CITYSCAPES/ DRAWINGS OF OIL PLATFORMS / PHOTOGRAPHY
THE EL FORNIO STORY CYCLE / RED FLAG SERIES / JOHN GRAHAM DEMO PAGE

CCopyright 2009, John Graham