About the Work
The European bee-eater, once a rare sight within UK borders, is now increasingly being spotted in Norfolk. It serves as both a spectacle of beauty and a sobering reminder of the profound impacts of climate change. In this illustration, as the European bee-eater swoops in for its prey, a closer examination reveals a subtle but significant alteration—the bee it targets is not a natural insect but a robotic counterpart.
The presence of the robot bee serves as a poignant metaphor for the disruptions caused by human activities, including habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. These factors have collectively contributed to the decline of bee populations, necessitating the development of artificial solutions to mitigate their dwindling numbers.Â
The carmine bee-eater, native to South Africa is referenced here as a foreshadowing of potential future migrations. Just as the European bee-eater has begun to venture northward in response to shifting climatic conditions, the prospect of more exotic birds following suit hints at the profound alterations awaiting our landscape.
