The shifting rainbow hues of iridescence have, until recently, remained exclusive to nature. Now, the latest advances in nanotechnology enable the introduction of novel, bio-inspired colour-shifting flakes into painting - thereby affording artists potential access to the full spectacle of iridescence. However, unfortunately, existing rules of easel painting do not apply to the new medium.

During her Interact: Artists in Industry placement at the University of Birmingham (Biosciences and Physics), Schenk attempted to overcome this incompatibility by studying the ingenious ways in which a wide range of iridescent effects are created in butterflies. As iridescent flakes mirror analogous nano-architectures in butterfly scales, studying the complex mechanisms inherent in the specimens' colour production can offer vital clues on how to convert these novel materials to the painter’s palette.

Thus, via adopting the above biomimetic approach, complemented by meticulous and time-consuming material experimentation, the artist eventually succeeded in recreating/ simulating the specimens oscillating colour in paint.