Monumental Photos Celebrate Australia's Tiny Peacock Spiders

Monumental Portraits of Tiny Peacock Spiders Flaunting Their Colorful Bodies

Maratus karrie

Australia's peacock spiders are known for the remarkable, colorful, iridescent patterns that the males exhibit on their abdomens. There are a little over 100 species in the genus Maratus, with the tiny spiders measuring between just 3 and 5 millimeters in length. A new exhibition by Australia-based Colombian artist Maria Fernanda Cardoso celebrates their beauty through exceptional macro photography.

Spiders of Paradise centers on about 17 monumental portraits from Cardoso's ongoing peacock spider photographic series. Cardoso draws inspiration from the natural world, and her artistic practice includes installations, performances, sculptures, photography, and video. To execute the portraits, which are comprised of over 1,000 individual frames, she turned to scientific imager Geoff Thompson and entomologist Andy Wang from the Queensland Museum, who specialize in deep-focus microphotography and microscopic specimen preparation.

The result is an in-depth look at the colors and patterns that adorn these spiders. Much more than simply decorative, the coloration is a question of survival. The males flash their impressive abdomens during courtship and then dance to woo their partner. If the female isn't interested, she's apt to attack or even kill him.

“The Maratus spiders of Australia are the most colorful, flamboyant, sexy, and charming spiders on the planet,” Cardoso shares. “To me, their use of color, gesture, sound, and movement makes them sophisticated visual and performing artists. They are also the smallest performers I know of, on average about 3-5mm in size, smaller than a grain of rice.”

Through her work, Cardoso brings these tiny giants to life and highlights their importance to the Australian ecosystem. Thanks to the touring exhibition, which was developed with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the public will gain a deeper appreciation for these small creatures.

Spiders of Paradise will be on view at Carns Art Gallery in Queensland from August 31, 2024 to November 24, 2024 before making its way to five other locations across Australia over the next two years.