Flowers and Butterflies Stitch Messages of Hope into Crumpled Metal and Corroded Barrels

On the sides of rusted barrels or crushed steel spheres, Lithuanian artist Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė (previously) applies delicate reminders of resilience. Using cotton thread, the artist cross-stitches vibrant flowers and butterflies onto facets of corroded metal, merging materials that appear to have little in common.

Where metal is rough, strong, and utilitarian, embroidery is tender, soft, and decorative. Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė taps into these diametric characteristics in her continuing examination of war. A large metal ball titled “OFFSIDE,” for example, represents the world’s cumulative conflicts. “It is like a huge disaster with a small embroidered butterfly that is like a small, fragile sign of hope,” she says.

a rusted, round piece of metal with a cross-stitched butterfly made through perforated holes — “Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)” (2023), metal and cotton thread. Photo by Modestas Ežerskis and Ineta Armanavičiūtė

The small nation of Belarus separates Lithuania from Ukraine, where the impacts of the ongoing Russian assault reverberate across the region. “The war is very close to us,” the artist tells Colossal, “so we can’t relax and just think about life.” Incorporating insects and blooms, steeped in symbolic references to compassion, generosity, and care, Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė suggests that despite humans’ destructive actions, hope perseveres.

Find more on the artist’s Instagram.

a rusted, crumpled ball of metal with a cross-stitched butterfly in one part — “Offside” (2024), metal, and cotton threads. Photo by Enrika Samulionytė

detail of a rusted, round piece of metal with a cross-stitched flower made through perforated holes — Detail of “Offside.” Photo by Enrika Samulionytė

a large rusted ball of metal with a cross-stitched butterfly in one area — “OFFSIDE” (2024)

a long, rusted, pipe-like sculpture with cross-stitched flowers along the surface — “MEADOWS” (2023), metal barrels and cotton, 360 x 40 x 20 centimeters. Photo by Ineta Armanavičiūtė

a detail of a cross-stitched flower in a rusted piece of metal — Detail of “MEADOWS.” Photo by Ineta Armanavičiūtė

a rusted, round piece of metal with a cross-stitched flower made through perforated holes — “Timeless Fragility” (2022), oil barrel lid and cross stitch, 60 centimeters diameter. Photo by Ineta Armanavičiūtė

a detail of a rusted, round piece of metal with a cross-stitched flower made through perforated holes

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