Art and Entomophagy

Gingerbug House
Artist: Vanessa Cox

Entomophagy (eating insects) expands our choices of cuisine and is envisioned as a protein source of the future as the human population continues to increase. For much of western culture, entomophagy has a “yuk” factor that is a current barrier. Artists can help us envision the future and reframe how we think of insects as food.

Artist Vanessa Cox uses insects in her art and her cuisine. The artwork (pictured) is a painting of a dish that has insects as an ingredient.  The artwork contains cockroaches placed on the canvass and painted over as part of the design. The insects in the picture add texture. The insects are not the center of attention, but blend into the food as if they are supposed to be there. Her art captures the status of entomophagy. More widespread adoption of entomophagy in western cultures will likely involve insects as an ingredient rather than the whole food.