Papillons

While visiting Buckingham Companies’ Library Square development to execute a commissioned piece, the artist Mantra created small murals of butterflies (papillons in French) on the garage doors of 924 North Pennsylvania St., another building owned by Buckingham.  While stylistically similar to his well-known “specimen box” butterfly murals, these works are more casually executed: presented as a gift to the neighborhood. The species depicted are the Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), which is native to Indiana but is endangered, and the American Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis), which is also native to Indiana but is extremely well established both here and throughout the continent.

French by birth, Mantra (Youri Cansell) is an international street/graffiti artist who began painting in 2008. His work frequently features insects, animals, and birds in tribute to the natural surroundings that he grew up with, and is characterized by hyper-realistic detail and deep color. His nickname comes from the repetition of his style, which he and others see as a spiritual connection to the unique universe he has created. Mantra also works under the names Youri Mantra and Mantra Voz.