Kate Breakey: In Pursuit of Light at Joseph Bellow Gallery

 by Patricia Frischer

Joseph Bellows Gallery is focused on photographs, but in these works from  Kate Breakey: In Pursuit of Light, the surface of the photograph has been hand-painted. That is why each enhanced image draws you in and is mesmerizing.  The colors and patterns, the hairiness, the glow that is created around the outline are all very carefully designed. The sheer increased size of the moth specimens is impressive.

Did you know that moths are in the insect Order Lepidoptera, and share this order with butterflies. There are some 160,000 species of moths in the world, compared to 17,500 species of butterflies. In the United States alone, there are nearly 11,000 species of moths.

The artist states, “My fascination with moths began long ago, perhaps because they go unnoticed and are somewhat unloved. They are primarily nocturnal and often drab—not as colorful or iconic as butterflies—but they are staggeringly beautiful if you look closely enough”. 

Illustrations of these species have a long history, but we see them with brand new eyes in this series. They advocate for conservation, yes,  but they reveal the sheer beauty of the moth which is no longer the butterflies ugly sister, but a star in her own right. 

Kate Breakey: In Pursuit of Light
On view until Nov 11. 2025
Joseph Bellows Gallery
7661 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, 92037
(858) 456-5620 info@josephbellows.com 
Hours Tue, Wed, and Fri, 10am - 5pm
Monday, Thursday and Saturday, by appointment

There is also a terrific online exhibition of botanical by Tine Poppe: Gilded Lilies 
On view Nov 4 – Dec 31, 2025