1st Place Winner of the Waitakere Arts 60th Exhibition and Awards 2025 
 
This captivating upcycled butterfly sculpture by Lisa Watkins is a one-of-a-kind tribute to Aotearoa New Zealand’s disappearing butterflies. Crafted entirely from repurposed CDs and a salvaged mannequin torso, the piece transforms discarded materials into vibrant iridescent blooms that shimmer with light and meaning.
Inspired by the ongoing efforts of the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, this sustainable sculpture honours both the fragility and resilience of our native butterfly species. Each hand-formed rose, wing-like leaf and layered CD fragment symbolises the fading beauty of these precious pollinators—and a call to protect what remains.
The surface texture glistens with holographic colour, catching light from every angle, creating a sense of movement, flight, and ephemeral grace. A show-stopping eco-feminist work, this upcycled butterfly sculpture is also a bold statement on conservation, transformation, and the potential to create beauty from waste.
Dimensions:
Height: 95 cm
Width: 53 cm
Materials:
Repurposed CDs, mannequin torso
Zero new plastics – entirely upcycled
Ideal For:
Collectors of sustainable art, public art commissions, exhibitions exploring climate, ecology, and feminist themes.