In the 16th century, monarchs around the world started building “rooms of wonder,” or Wunderkammern, to display their vast, kingly collections of remarkable natural specimens. Also called “cabinets of curiosities,” they were meant to inspire awe and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.
Today, artist and naturalist Christopher Marley offers us his own Wunderkammern: the traveling exhibition Exquisite Creatures.
(Image courtesy Christopher Marley / Exquisite Creatures)
I brought my parents and children to Exquisite Creatures on a cold, wet evening. The kids were hyper, the adults tense. But throughout the four-minute introductory video, our moods lifted. Christopher Marley loves what he does, and his joy is infectious.
Marley grew up in Salem, Oregon, a self-described “reptile freak” who nonetheless hated bugs. As his career in fashion took him to remote — and buggy — locations, he decided to face his fear of insects through exposure therapy. Bug by bug (and at least a few bites) he realized that insects were a rich medium for artwork: abundant in color, diverse in texture, versatile in size and scope. He started collecting specimens to use in his art, and a new career emerged.
“Exquisite Creatures,” by artist and naturalist Christopher Marley. (Image courtesy Christopher Marley / Exquisite Creatures)
Rainbow Beetles and Home Décor
As an artist, Marley maintains meticulous aesthetic control. He builds his own frames and sources his own matting material. He glazes and reglazes until each creature shines exactly how he wants it to. Kids will enjoy pushing a button to light up some of Marley’s creatures in carefully constructed lightboxes with fish-eye lenses. The gallery is large enough for a family to spread out, but not get lost.
(Image: Elizabeth Hunter / Seattle’s Child)
Henry, who is 6, immediately asked for paper and started sketching his own versions of each creature. He was entranced by Marley’s first medium, iridescent beetles, walking back and forth to see the colors change with each step.
Instead of dry gallery placards (title – date – artist) Marley offers meditations on beauty, the procurement process, and conservation efforts. He also makes wisecracks like, for example, the ubiquity of sea anemones in home décor.
Henry, 6, immediately asked for paper and started sketching his own versions of each creature. (Image: Elizabeth Hunter / Seattle’s Child)
Snakes and Parakeets
Of all the marvelous critters and crawlies, both Cora and I loved the parakeets best.
“They looked so soft,” Cora, my 9-year-old, said. Indeed, the parakeets looked so tender, it was as though they were just sleeping. It reminded me again that Marley’s affection for these creatures is what makes the show so special.
(Image courtesy Christopher Marley / Exquisite Creatures)
Cora’s class had just finished a lesson on snakes, so we enjoyed Marley’s gorgeous swirling serpents. On the placard, Marley reminds us that these much-maligned creatures are mostly harmless, with bright colors meant to imitate their more venomous cousins.
(Image courtesy Christopher Marley / Exquisite Creatures)
Marley often alludes to climate change and habitat destruction, but he’s not there to chide his audience. He just wants to share the wonders of the world.
“Wandering is how I honed both my appreciation for nature and some skills in navigating it,” he said, “but you don’t have to go far to make discoveries. The most important thing is exposure. Nature — and your own heart — will help to guide the direction.”
(Image: Elizabeth Hunter / Seattle’s Child)
Exquisite Creatures is located at 900 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104. The exhibition is open every day except Wednesday. It costs $34 for adults and $28 for children aged 4 –12.
Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers.
More Art & Discovery Around Seattle
- Farm to Table Exhibit at SAM. Step into Seattle’s food story with this hands-on exhibit tracing how ingredients move from farms to our tables. Kids can explore interactive stations, local food history, and the people who grow and prepare what we eat.
- Guide to the Burke Museum. Planning a visit to the Burke? Our guide walks families through fossils, cultural galleries, hands-on maker spaces, and the must-see highlights that make this museum a favorite with curious kids.
- Guide to MOHAI. From maritime history to kid-friendly innovation labs, MOHAI offers a full day of discovery. Here’s everything you need to know before you go, plus tips for families visiting with younger children.
