Insects: Microsculptures Magnified Await At ArtScience Museum

From 17 January 2026, you are invited to experience the natural world from a completely new perspective at ArtScience Museum. Insects: Microsculptures Magnified makes its Southeast Asian debut in Singapore, transforming tiny creatures into monumental works of art. Through towering photographic portraits and immersive storytelling, you and your loved ones can discover the hidden beauty, complexity and importance of insects, revealed at a scale rarely seen before.

Insects Revealed in Extraordinary Detail

At the heart of the exhibition are thirty-seven striking portraits by award-winning British photographer Levon Biss. Created in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History, these works are based on specimens from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Each image is composed of more than 8,000 individual photographs, captured using a bespoke photographic rig and microscope lenses. When you stand before these larger-than-life images, you can observe colours, textures and anatomical details that are normally invisible to the naked eye.

Through this meticulous process, insects are transformed into visually arresting subjects. You will notice iridescent armour, velvet-like surfaces, fine scales, and complex structures that highlight the incredible design of these often-overlooked creatures. The exhibition encourages you to slow down and appreciate the details that exist within even the smallest forms of life.

Discover Singapore Led Scientific Research

Beyond its visual impact, Insects: Microsculptures Magnified places a strong spotlight on scientific discoveries from Singapore. As you explore the exhibition, you will encounter research from institutions such as Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore and A*STAR, showing how local insect studies contribute to global knowledge across ecology, conservation and engineering.

You will learn about native dung beetles studied by NTU researchers and how these insects support healthier ecosystems in urban environments. The exhibition also highlights how the microscopic textures of cicada wings are inspiring innovations in self-cleaning and antimicrobial materials. Along the way, you and your loved ones can discover the story of a newly identified plant bug species, Campylomma singapura, which was documented by scientists in Singapore.

Interactive Moments for Curious Minds

Designed to engage all ages, the exhibition includes interactive elements that invite hands-on discovery. You can examine insect specimens through microscopes, zoom into features using digital displays and explore how form and function work together in nature. These interactive moments make the experience especially engaging for children and anyone curious about how science and art intersect.

A short film also gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Levon Biss’ photographic process, offering insight into how each image was created with precision and patience.

A New Way to Understand the Living World

This is ArtScience Museum’s first exhibition dedicated entirely to insects. It invites you to rethink how you perceive creatures that are often misunderstood or dismissed. By combining international collaboration with local scientific research, the exhibition connects discoveries made in Singapore’s forests and laboratories with a global conversation about biodiversity and sustainability.

Plan Your Visit

By magnifying the smallest creatures to extraordinary proportions, Insects: Microsculptures Magnified offers you and your loved ones a rare chance to pause and reflect on the intricate systems that sustain life on Earth. Whether you are drawn to photography, science, nature or simply meaningful shared experiences, this exhibition invites you to see the world differently, one remarkable detail at a time.

Insects: Microsculptures Magnified runs from 17 January 2026 to 19 April 2026 at ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands. Tickets are available through Marina Bay Sands box offices and online platforms. The exhibition forms part of ArtScience Museum’s 2026 programme exploring the more-than-human world through art, science and technology.

All photos credit to Levon Biss