I created my Magical Butterfly Project in 2007. The work was originally inspired by butterflies and nature. My goal was to deliver a message through my work that beautiful little creatures are existing on this earth with us and to hopefully emphasize that when trees and greens disappear, little lives disappear too. Since all nature is connected, eventually we may also disappear. The fate of our earth is on our hands. It's up to us to destroy or protect.

 I was attracted to the beauty of butterfly wings. During the creation process for this project I developed my own way of making the wings. Each butterfly piece has unique design, color and patterns from my imagination. Inspirations came from my dance background and passion for music. I have tried to infuse the work with the rhythms and flavors of different musical styles including: Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin, Afrobeat, Afro Cuban, Latin Jazz, Mambo, Salsa, Dixieland, New Orleans Jazz, Big Bands with a touch of Carnival, Mardi Gra, Circus and Cabaret. For every unique musical sound, rhythm and style, there are as many varieties of butterfly, all uniquely beautiful and equally fragile,  dancing midair in vibrant living color. Just as instruments of varying timbre, pitch and tone are combined to make music, butterflies of varying pattern, shape and color were combined to create a story in my art work. The story is life.

 I would be happy if viewers could feel the beauty, power and sprit of butterflies through the rhythm and beat of the work. Butterflies live a very short life but they live it fully and beautifully in harmony with the earth, the way nature intended.

Yuko  Ueno