Butterflies are more than just colourful, beautiful creatures. They play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems. Butterflies are attracted to bright flowers to feed on nectar, and in doing so their bodies collect pollen and carry it to other plants, helping fruits, vegetables and flowers to produce new seeds. The majority of plants need pollinators like bees and butterflies to reproduce.

This eco-art exhibition will run from early August to September 2025. The display features six selected artworks, along with four additional illustrations showcasing butterfly nectar plants. Visitors are welcome to take home free cards.

The pictures are part of the forthcoming ecology picture book Butterfly Elf, What’s Your Favorite Nectar?, scheduled for publication next year. The book highlights a range of nectar plants such as milkweeds, star clusters, and Kawakami hydrangea, alongside native butterflies from Taiwan and the United States—including the monarch, tiger swallowtail, old world swallowtail, and zebra swallowtail.

Inspired by Professor Yang's ongoing butterfly pollination research, this exhibition aims to educate the public on butterfly ecology and environmental preservation.

“In these times of global warming and ecological disaster, teaching children about nature is more important than ever,” said the artist Professor James H. Yang (a visiting scholar from YunTech Taiwan hosted by Western Sydney University's Education in the Anthropocene research group). “This project is my personal contribution to help bring awareness to our plight.” He aims to promote butterfly pollination and ecological conservation through his project. More information about Professor Yang's project can be found here. 

This exhibition runs from 8th August to September 30th in the Penrith Library exhibition space. Please check our website for current opening hours.