Step into a world of wonder and transformation through two extraordinary art installations at Saskatchewan’s only children’s museum.
Metamorphosis and Breathe by Monique Martin invited visitors of all ages to reflect on transformation, growth, and the fragile beauty of life through over 25,000 hand-crafted paper butterflies. Both installations were on view at Nutrien Wonderhub from October 22, 2025 until February 8, 2026.
Photo by Carey Shaw
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis consisted of approximately 25,000 silkscreened and hand-cut life-sized paper butterflies, suspended on branches above the Toon Town exhibit. Floating high above the beloved exhibit, the butterflies transform the space into a canopy of colour, movement, and imagination. There are 23 species of butterflies in the installation, including a new Wonderhub inspired butterfly named “Ludique”. Each life-size butterfly is silkscreened with 25 to 35 colours per side and every detail was intricately cut out by hand.
Metamorphosis was generously supported by Dr. Anne Neufeld, and the Government of Saskatchewan through the Museums Association of Saskatchewan.
Artist Statement
Transformation is part of deep time, when life hangs like a question mark, fragile and always changing. Sometimes a single moment, a single breath, in a single day can determine a life but it can also take years and decades to form a life. The process of transformation allows us to live in the continuous present as we know we will not be the same person tomorrow that we were today. In the symphony of breath, confidence takes center stage, each inhalation a declaration of self-assurance, and each exhalation a release of doubt. The arithmetic of life can be looked at as continuous subtraction or as continuous transformation. In the cadence of each breath, there is an unwavering pulse that harmonizes with the ever-shifting melody of life. When parts of our life run thin like the transparent chrysalis of a butterfly there is room for transformation, change, growth, movement – a metamorphosis.
Photo by Carey Shaw
Ludique
Monique created approximately 1,000 butterflies named “Ludique” inspired by Nutrien Wonderhub to add to the Metamorphosis installation, which can be found as the first butterfly glowing under black lights when you enter Toon Town. A limited number of the Wonderhub butterflies we’re available for purchase in our gift shop when the installations we’re on view. The name “Ludique” translates to playful from French and the butterfly glows in the dark and under black light. The context behind creating the butterfly was Wonderhub’s fun brand colours and small lights in hotels (like night lights and the little light on the TV) that create a comfort. The “Ludique” butterfly in a child’s room creates a comfort, and reminds them that everything is going to be okay through all of life’s changes because everyday is different for a butterfly.
Photo by Carey Shaw
Breathe
In Breathe, approximately 1,000 silkscreened butterflies glowing under black lights filled Wonderhub’s immersive Mystery Box. With vibrant colours and delicate details, the luminous installation offers an enchanting, photo-worthy experience for visitors of all ages. Each butterfly has the word “Breathe” printed on it, reminding us to take a quiet moment and just breathe.
Photo by Carey Shaw
About Monique Martin
Monique is an eco-conscious, internationally recognized, multi-disciplinary artist from Saskatoon, Canada with a 25-year exhibition history. She has exhibited her artwork in hundreds of significant solo, invited and juried exhibitions in numerous countries. Most of these were solo exhibitions in public galleries. Renowned international curators have selected her artwork for various exhibitions worldwide. Her works are held in numerous public and private collections around the world. Some of the major collections include: The Royal Alberta Museum, University of Washington Library, University of California-Los Angeles Library, Bytown Museum-Ottawa, among others.
Her work often uses significant symbols or comments on contemporary social issues. Monique creates bodies of work rather individual pieces and focuses on specific concepts. She undertakes extensive research prior to creating her work, often incorporating historically significant symbols and images to express her ideas. Her works push the boundaries of standard printmaking; enormous scale printmaking, installation based printmaking and working with three dimensions in printmaking.
Photo by Mandy Harding
“This is the first time the installation has been displayed in a children’s museum, and I’m very excited. I hope parents will talk with their children about change — how every day we’re growing and becoming a little different. Especially when you’re little, every day you learn something new. Sometimes change is positive, sometimes it’s challenging, and like the butterfly, we often don’t know what’s coming next. But if you think about the butterfly, maybe you’ll find strength and resilience in embracing change.” – Monique Martin
We would love to see your perspective. Tag us in your photos!
@WonderhubSK | @Moniquesart
📅 Check out our events calendar for drop-in programming with themes relating to the installations.🦋