Local artist captures the death of the desert in exhibit opening

Though many people may view life as something to be cherished, one local artist finds inspiration in the simplicity of death.

Artist Kate Breakey's exhibit "Naturographia," opening Saturday at the Temple Gallery, 330 S. Scott Ave., is part of a larger body of work titled "Small Death."

The photographs in "Naturographia" are of various objects found in nature after their death such as flowers, birds, frogs and lizards. In these images, Breakey captures the various stages of decay - from recent death to skeletal and even mummified remains.

"Many are shocked by it," she said. "There is something very emotive about the beauty of an object and the sense of sadness that something has passed. This is not about horror or gore but about the beauty and detail that go unnoticed."