Unusual Specimen Portraits by Michael Mapes

Michael Mapes is an artist who creates bizarre portraits out of various materials which resemble the equipment used to document specimens. These items such as insect pins, pinning foam, glass vials, and magnifiers are typically found in science museums and research centers. Mapes “dissects” photographs of people he has come across in his life. He houses the deconstructed photos in shadow boxes that encloses not only the persons image, but can also contain hair, fingernails, fingerprints, handwriting, and sometimes their breath. The artist’s unique technique and use of intricate materials create a distintive way to feature the diversity of humankind. See more after the jump!