Welcome to one of the 2 versions of this design (please refer to “Umbrella – Where Wings Unfold” for the other one).
“Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well.”
―
Butterflies of the day, moths of the night — both have long been symbols of hope, transformation, patience and resilience. Perhaps they know something about becoming that we forget: that sometimes you have to dissolve before you can discover what you’re becoming.
In the years leading up to my 50th birthday, I felt as though I’d been turned to mush — a strange, murky soup of everything I once was, mixed with everything that was quietly emerging within me. I had no idea what version of myself would eventually take shape when the fog lifted.
And then, rather mysteriously, butterflies and moths began finding their way to me. They arrived as gifts from friends, appeared in unexpected places, or fluttered around me in the real world. Perhaps they had always been there and I was simply noticing them now. Either way, I started to wonder if the universe was trying to tell me something.
It was one of the most illuminating — and terrifying — periods of my life. Transformation sounds wonderfully poetic until you realise it asks you to let go of the beliefs, habits and old stories that have kept you safely crawling along the ground in your caterpillar form.
Then, during a visit to family in South Africa, I found her.
A stunning sculpture sitting cross-legged in a pond, bent towards her own reflection in the water. I was mesmerised. She seemed beautiful, curious and completely vulnerable — quietly contemplating the mysterious person looking back at her.
She became the heart of the original artwork: her photograph surrounded by hand-cut collage, gold foil and Gelli-plate printed paper, with butterflies and moths appearing amongst the undergrowth like tiny messengers of becoming.
Perhaps this is what transformation asks of us: to sit with the unknown, look gently at who we are becoming, and trust that something beautiful is taking shape.
This is Hope. This is Becoming. This is the magic of the in-between.
Specifications:
- Shape: Octagonal (8 panels)
- Length: M: 52cm [21″]; L: 102cm [40″]
- Open Canopy size:
- (M: 135x135cm [54″x54″] – easily fits into a standard tote/handbag, comfortably can shelter up to 2 people standing/walking in half-circle shape,
- (L: 150x150cm [60″x60″] – wow factor, lightweight, comfortably can shelter up to 3 people standing/walking in half-circle shape, perfect for special occasions/golf, great walking stick/self-defence apparatus if unsavoury characters approach
- Easy & fast opening action in case of rainmergency (just press button on handle)
- Material: Polyester
PRE-ORDERING:
🎁Next pre-order deadline: Fri, 9th Oct 2026⏰
TIMELINES (calculated from pre/order deadline, unless in current, immediate stock)
Australia: Because all umbrellas are made to order, please allow up to 14 days (after pre-order deadline) for your order to be shipped. All umbrellas are delivered by Australia Post (however, if urgent, please contact us directly to find out if your choice is currently in stock).
International: Because all umbrellas are made to order, please allow up to 3-4 weeks (after pre-order deadline) for your order to be shipped (perhaps sooner – subject to current airfreight circumstances). (However, if urgent, please contact us directly to find out if your choice is currently in stock).
POSTAGE/DELIVERY options:
- FREE pick-up at Montsalvat, Eltham (free) – use promo-code pickup at checkout!
- SHIPPING:
- Australia: $15
- International: $50
