"Ladybirds, to me, are both a symbol of childhood wonder and a reassuring presence in the garden. We are all familiar with ladybirds and they have lots of different, positive interpretations associated with them. Having spent more time observing them this Spring, with my young daughter, I have noticed how different they are from each other. They vary enormously in colour and pattern but they all appear like shiny little jewels hidden amongst the leaves. I wanted to create a series of ladybird paintings that were just as perfectly small and decorative as the insects themselves. These tiny paintings are designed specifically to add a flash of red to a wall, just like the ladybirds do in the garden. I wanted them to be small enough that the viewer must lean in and observe the ladybird closely, just as we do outdoors" - Ollie Tuck.

Positioned centrally, Ladybird No. 13 commands attention despite its intimate scale. Rendered in warm orange-red tones with delicately balanced markings, the ladybird appears almost icon-like against a luminous gold leaf ground that glows softly around the figure. The deep black frame intensifies this contrast, lending the work the character of a miniature devotional object.