Mike Libby - Insect Lab

Mike Libby is an American artist and the founder of Insect Lab, a studio based in Maine that creates one-of-a-kind sculptural works by combining real, preserved, Mike Libby is an American artist and the founder of Insect Lab, a studio based in Maine that creates one-of-a-kind sculptural works by combining real, preserved insect specimens with antique and vintage mechanical components — gears, watch parts, circuit boards, springs, and other tiny hardware. Founded in 1999, Insect Lab transforms beetles, moths, mantises, and other arthropods into intricate cybernetic creatures that blur the line between the natural world and industrial machinery. Libby's meticulous, hands-on process treats each insect as a unique canvas, carefully selecting and integrating components that complement the creature's existing anatomy and form. The resulting pieces have been exhibited in galleries worldwide and collected by enthusiasts of both fine art and curiosity culture, earning Insect Lab a devoted following among fans of steampunk aesthetics, natural history, and outsider art.