Kabutomushi, Revell’s recent series of work, photographed in mind-blowing detail and with an astonishing play of light, makes us question a major cultural icon in Asia. The beetle. Scarab, critter, bug. Kafkaesque repulsive and monstrous, or magnificent and sublime? They can be both medieval and futuristic in form, the diversity of this mysterious species is breathtaking; some have the gloss of luxurious patent leather, while others display matt black of stealth military vehicle.

The micro view of each beetle is illuminated through a refined lighting method unique to Revell’s practice, enabling surface ornamentation and reflection revealed with a high level of sophistication. The quality of light and fastidiously chosen viewpoint for each scarab shifts the work away from traditional natural history representation and into the realm of fine art. Like, ‘Dürer’s Rhinoceros’ (1515), the awe-inspiring exterior of the scarab could be interpreted as a product of an overactive imagination. Equipped with visible sheets of armour, including a breastplate, Dürer’s woodcut is more mythical beast than living animal - yet, despite its embellishments, the image was popularly assumed to be an accurate representation of a rhinoceros until the late 18th century. This is the power of the image that answers a strong, shared cultural desire. Revell’s Kabutomushi series references Dürer’s influence and this important chapter of history in which artistic license collided with scientific fact.

Revell engages in a contemporary dialogue with the ongoing mythology surrounding the scarab in Asia where, fittingly, the rhinoceros beetle is sometimes referred to as the unicorn beetle. As the ancient Shinto religion advocates for deep respect for the mysteries of nature, Japan, in particular, has long entertained a fascination for the species. In the 18th century, charmed by their song, people caught and traded crickets. The craze spread rapidly and soon extended to the capture and breeding of many other insects - a pastime that continues to this day. The rhinoceros beetle resides at the heart of this cultural phenomenon. Their fiercely territorial urge has been exploited as beetle enthusiasts gamble on the outcome of head-to-head duels between males, and colossal sums of money are exchanged for prize fighting scarabs.

Ranking as one of the strongest creatures on this planet, these scarabs are able to lift 850 times their own body weight. Yet, despite their formidable reputation, they are in fact harmless to man - surviving on sap and forest litter. An extraordinary physical presence with an array of horned weaponry, the male rhinoceros beetle’s exterior is built to battle for territory and sexual dominance. A symbol of power, strength, and courage, its distinctive form and influence can be seen throughout Japanese society, in Tokusatsu (Japanese live-action film), Pokemon video games, and beloved family pets.