In the realm of the forest, trees seem to serve as decorative pillars for a human entrance. But transcending above our human control, they unveil their untamed realm by revealing their inherent nature.


Fleshy Bug zooms in on Dutch forests and explores the transformative impact of human touch on these once-pristine environments. Throughout history, these forests have been exploited for materials and recreational purposes, resulting in a loss of their inherent natural qualities which transformed them into human-centered realms. Kanters conducts artistic research to examine touch as a communicative tool, employing an immersive and hands-on approach that integrates thinking through making.

Fleshy Bug presents a visual dialogue in materiality through emphasizing latex’s dual nature - derived from trees, yet reminiscent of bodily textures. By creating a humanoid form using a material extracted from trees, Kanters flips the power dynamic embedded within the exploitation of natural resources. The artwork serves as a gentle reminder of the autonomy and untamed nature of forests, inviting viewers to contemplate their own role within this human-centric realm.