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| New Mural Highlighting California’s Butterflies And Our Local Community Is Completed In Mariposa Park |
Lancaster, CA - The Lancaster Museum of Art & History (MOAH) is pleased to announce the completion of a new mural in Lancaster's Mariposa Park, furthering the City and MOAH’s mission to bring accessible, world-class art into public spaces. Continuing the City of Lancaster’s commitment to arts and culture, Lancaster Lepidopterans is the latest mural by artist Youri Cansel, a.k.a. Mantra—and his first in California. The vibrant work adorns the walls of Mariposa Park’s community building, depicting the beauty of California's regional butterflies and showing how their biodiversity reflects the City’s own cultural diversity.
Cansell notes that, “The composition finds its balance by placing these species within their natural habitats, alongside a variety of continental floral specimens such as the Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail), which can be found all along the Pacific Coast of North America, portrayed here in both its male and female forms, each exhibiting distinct colors. The Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak), with its gray and bright orange patterns, is one of the most widely distributed butterflies on the continent, ranging from British Columbia to Colombia and Venezuela, including South and Baja California. Its presence in the mural celebrates the diversity of both native and migrant communities. This notion of migration is further echoed by the presence of the iconic Danaus plexippus (Monarch), renowned for its long journey from Canada and the United States to Mexico.”
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Youri Cansell, a.k.a. Mantra, is an artist and naturalist. Spurred by a fascination with entomology, he is well known for his murals that depict photorealistic and scientifically accurate butterflies and other animals at a larger-than-life scale. These creatures are usually depicted as specimens displayed in an exhibit case, commenting on the gradual loss of the planet’s biodiversity. Displayed internationally, Cansell’s work responds to the surroundings in which they inhabit, creating an organic relationship between the subject of his murals and their environments.
This latest addition to Mariposa Park is part of the City of Lancaster’s ongoing investment in public art as outlined in the Public Art Master Plan, which guides how art is integrated into public spaces to enrich daily life and foster community pride. Through the City’s Public Arts Program and the curatorial leadership of the Lancaster Museum of Art & History (MOAH), projects like Lancaster Lepidopterans transform our shared spaces into vibrant cultural landmarks, celebrating both the natural beauty and diverse spirit of our community.
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Posted on Aug 13, 2025 11:32am by admin
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