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Haruka Osaki
JAPAN
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‘‘I capture the intricate lives and emotions of creatures often overlooked by the human gaze."
Welcome to the intriguing world of Haruka Osaki, an ecologist cum painter. As a trained behavioral ecologist with a deep fascination for insect behavior, she offers a rare and intimate perspective through her art, unveiling the hidden lives and emotions of creatures that quietly inhabit the edges of human awareness. Haruka’s artistic journey is a symphony of science and imagination, where inquiry and creativity merge seamlessly with her brushstrokes.
True Love: Salganea taiwanensis | Ink
NFS
8.3 X 13
A pair of Salganea taiwanensis, a Japanese wood-feeding cockroach, is exhibiting their world’s only known mating behavior—mutual wing-eating. Both males and females sacrifice their wings, forming a lifelong pair bond and cooperating to rear their offspring. Studied by the artist, a behavioral ecologist, this behavior highlights the species' unique ecological and cognitive traits. The artwork blends science and art, revealing the intricate beauty and complexity of this extraordinary insect.
Her work dissolves the boundaries between art and science, inviting viewers to peer into the natural world with curiosity and awe, discovering its intricate beauty and embracing its profound complexity. Haruka’s artistic philosophy reaches far beyond her own creations, rooted in a profound fascination with non-human consciousness and its capacity for artistic expression. As an artist, this curiosity has driven her to explore the unique world of insects, a perspective that redefines traditional ideas of art and creativity.
Delicious?: Salganea taiwanensis | Ink
$600
8.3 X 13
Have you ever noticed the tip of a cockroach's abdomen? This illustration unveils the surprising elegance of the Japanese wood-feeding cockroach. Its abdominal tip features two structures resembling delicate dollops of whipped cream—a detail so subtle that it often escapes the human eye. The artist’s close observation and commitment to highlighting insect anatomy invite viewers to find beauty in the unexpected, sparking a sense of wonder and appreciation for the complexity of these insects.
At the heart of Haruka's creations is her dedication to pointillism, a technique that allows her to capture the delicate expressions and fascinating trysts and tales of insects. Through her innovative approach, Haruka challenges the notion that art is uniquely human, instead proposing that it transcends our boundaries and embraces the vast, interconnected spectrum of life on Earth.
“My work challenges the conventional boundaries of art and science”
Haruka’s unique blend of artistry and science defines her work. As a researcher studying cockroach behavior, she has developed an extraordinary skill in observing the subtle nuances of animal actions. Her scientific background shapes her artistic process, allowing her to capture authentic moments of interaction and emotion in her subjects, bringing them to life in a way never imagined before.
Trajectory: Salganea taiwanensis | Ink
NFS
8.3 X 13
This artwork showcases the inked trails of Salganea taiwanensis as they walked, created using bokuju, a traditional Japanese ink used in calligraphy. It breaks the unconscious assumption that artists must be human. These lines, formed unintentionally by a non-human organism, blend the perspectives of a behavioral ecologist and an artist, exploring the intersection of intentionality and natural behavior, and challenging us to reconsider the essence of creativity.
This artwork contrasts two lines drawn by Madagascar hissing cockroaches. The bold, wavy line represents the autonomous movements of a freely walking cockroach, while the faint, straighter line was created by a cyborg cockroach remotely controlled and stripped of its ability to move independently. The faint ink, known as usuzumi in Japanese, is traditionally used to honor the deceased, symbolizing mourning. Here, it reflects the loss of self—an emotional death expressed through the absence of fr
Conscious & Unconscious: Gromphadorrhina portentosa | Ink
$900
20 X 28
Haruka’s latest body of works showcase a delicate balance of observation and interpretation, bridging the gap between the objective and the subjective. Her current research—an exploration into the consciousness of non-human organisms—profoundly shapes this inquiry. By weaving this question into her art, she challenges the very limits of what we know, urging viewers to challenge the conventional notions of creativity that extends far beyond human understanding.
“As both an artist and a scientist, I push the boundaries of what art can be, inspiring others to see the natural world in all its wonder and complexity.’’
“My creations remind me that art is not the sole domain of human consciousness; it is a universal language that manifests in countless forms, bridging the gap between species and fostering a deeper connection to the world around me.”
Through her work, she invites us to rethink the boundaries of consciousness itself. Haruka’s work celebrates the natural world and invites us to rethink our connection to it. By highlighting the beauty and complexity of insect life, she challenges the conventions of the human-centered perspective that dominates art and science. She reminds us that our connection with the natural world is not one of dominance, but of shared existence, where every life is worthy of attention, respect, and understanding.
Making (Conscious & Unconscious: Gromphadorrhina portentosa) | Ink
$900
20 X 28
This juxtaposition of lines offers a commentary on autonomy and control. The bold line embodies life driven by the cockroach’s own will, while the faint line reflects a constrained existence dictated by external forces. Combining traditional Japanese symbolism with modern science, the piece challenges viewers to reflect on the consciousness of non-human life forms, asking, “Do they possess awareness? If so, what is it like?”
Unlike a camera that merely freezes a moment, Haruka’s approach is rooted in deep observation and direct encounters with her subjects. By studying each insect’s posture, movement, and subtle gestures, she transforms these details into intricate, layered compositions. Through this artistic journey, Haruka opens a window into a hidden world, revealing the unique vitality and individuality of each creature she depicts.
Hello World: Statilia maculata | Ink
$600
8.3 X 13
This illustration features a newly hatched nymph of Statilia maculata, a delicate praying mantis species. While the artist is renowned for her studies on cockroach behavior, her observational scope extends far beyond cockroaches. Guided by a philosophy of firsthand observation, she captures the intricate details of various insect species through her art. This piece reflects her commitment to exploring and portraying the diverse beauty of the insect world with precision and authenticity.
Each piece serves as a dialogue between the artist and her subjects, a conversation that unfolds a vivid tapestry of an unknown living world. Haruka’s art urges her viewers to see insects not as fleeting curiosities, but as complex, sentient beings, each with its own story to tell. Through her art, she opens a window into a world often overlooked, inviting us to witness the unique pulsation of every creature, as though they’ve been waiting for us to watch them intimately.
This illustration depicts Cicindela laetescripta, an endangered species of tiger beetle. By carefully observing preserved specimens, the artist breathes life into their forms, reviving the vibrant presence these creatures once held in nature. Through her meticulous attention to detail, she captures not only the physical intricacies but also the essence of their living state, serving as both a tribute to their beauty and a reminder of the importance of conservation.
Endangered: Cicindela laetescripta | Ink
$500
8.3 X 13
“Art transcends human boundaries and encompasses the broader spectrum of life on Earth.”
Health Accordion: Salganea taiwanensis | Ink
$500
8.3 X 13
Let's compare two individuals of Salganea taiwanensis, highlighting their unique adaptation: when they gain weight, their bodies stretch lengthwise like an accordion. At first glance, the right individual appears slimmer, but it is actually the fatter one, having expanded in length. This defies human assumptions and teaches us that our common sense doesn’t always apply to other organisms, reminding us to approach nature with greater humility.
Haruka’s work is not merely a celebration of the natural world; it is an invitation to reconsider how we relate to it. With each brushstroke, she uncovers the hidden stories of the creatures she portrays - a rare journey into their intricate lives. In her art, every insect becomes a mirror, reflecting the unnoticed vibration of the world around us. Her work invites us to pause, to look closer, and to understand that the creatures who share our planet are not distant or separate from us, but part of a living, breathing network, full of emotion and purpose.
This illustration depicts the box used to transport Salganea taiwanensis to the lab after field collection. The artist emphasizes every stage of research, from fieldwork to analysis, viewing even the most mundane objects through the lens of a researcher. To a scientist, this is not just a box but a vessel carrying treasures—living specimens crucial to understanding nature’s intricate stories. This perspective transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary, reflecting the dedication behind
Shipping: Salagnea taiwanensis | Ink
$500
20 X 28
Haruka has carved a unique path in the art world with her meticulous technique, innovative exploration, and deep respect for her unique subjects. Her work is a testament to the power of observation, the strength of interdisciplinary approaches, and the limitless potential of creativity that includes insects and creatures with their own fascinating tales to share. And that makes her work phenomenal.
Radiation: Gromphadorrhina portentosa |Ink
$1,000
20 X 28
This artwork was created by multiple Madagascar hissing cockroaches moving simultaneously from a central point, resulting in dynamic, radiating lines. The pattern reflects their social nature, with the piece capturing their collective presence on paper. The vibrant energy in the ink trails evokes a sense of motion and vitality, turning the cockroaches’ movements into an expressive and living composition.
“My art considers insects' lives not as mere curiosities but as complex, sentient beings with their own stories to tell.”
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