Gauntlet Gallery — Kai & Sunny Print Index
Smashed Butterfly
Summary
Smashed Butterfly is a 2010 giclee print by Kai & Sunny on 100% cotton Somerset Enhanced paper, editioned at 3. At large scale, the unframed sheet measures 107 by 155 cm, framed in black-stained oak at 125 by 174 cm, taking the duo's recurring butterfly motif into a fractured, dynamic composition.
Why It Matters
Butterflies are a signature subject for Kai & Sunny, symbolising transformation and fragility. The 'smashed' treatment introduces rupture and energy into that motif, and at monumental scale in an edition of only 3, it stands among their scarcest large-format statements.
Collector Perspective
An edition of just 3 at over 1.5 metres makes this a rare, wall-dominating work. Collectors following the duo's butterfly series may value it as a bolder, more disruptive counterpoint to their calmer nature studies, on archival paper with studio oak framing.
Historical Context
Produced in 2010 during Kai & Sunny's large-format giclee phase, Smashed Butterfly reflects their willingness to reinterpret a familiar motif through fragmentation and movement. Butterflies recur throughout their editions as emblems of change and interconnection.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
Smashed Butterfly was issued in an edition of 3.
How large is it?
The unframed sheet measures 107 by 155 cm.
How does it relate to the butterfly motif?
It reinterprets the duo's recurring butterfly subject through a fractured, dynamic composition.
What framing is used?
It is framed in black-stained oak at 125 by 174 cm.
About the Artist
Kai & Sunny are a London-based artistic duo, Kai Clements and Sunny Todd, who met at art college and have collaborated since the late 1990s. They are known for intricate, hand-drawn line work exploring nature, patterns, and the forces of the natural world, often rendered as flowing, wind-swept compositions. Beyond fine-art prints and installations, they have built a notable design career, including celebrated collaborations with author Ben Okri and cover artwork for Penguin's editions of J.G. Ballard. Their editions are published in tightly controlled runs and have been exhibited internationally.
Collecting Kai & Sunny at Gauntlet Gallery
What Kai & Sunny works should I collect?
Their signed, numbered silkscreen editions, often featuring metallic inks, blind embossing, and hand-finished detail, are the heart of the market. Foil and layered prints in small runs are especially collectible. Gauntlet Gallery selects pieces in pristine condition with crisp embossing and complete signing.
How is authenticity handled?
Kai & Sunny editions are offered with documented studio provenance and the duo's signature and numbering. We photograph the specific piece you will receive, including signature, edition number, and any embossing, so every detail is verifiable before you buy.
What drives value?
Small edition sizes, special finishes (foil, embossing, hand-work), condition, and provenance from a documented release drive value. Sold-out, low-numbered, and specially finished editions command the strongest premiums.