Karner Butterfly: Jawbone Glass Sculpture by Gayle Church

Karner: Jawbone. Pate de verre glass casting of a butterfly with glass frit coloration that flits above a jawbone. 11”L x 5"W x 6 ½"H, 2025.

The Karner Blue Butterfly is an endangered species that once graced Southwestern Ontario but has since disappeared; a prime example of how our actions have reactions throughout natural cycles, in which we are always participating. Any bones that I use are found and gathered by myself or friends/family. Often people with remote camps or hunters and fishers stumble upon old wolf kills or know where the MNR drops roadkill remains. The jawbone is half of a white tail deer's lower jaw.

Collection: Gayle Church