Spiders Of Paradise: Photographer Maria Fernanda Cardoso Captures Vibrant Portraits Of Tiny Creatures

Spiders of Paradise is a captivating exhibition by photographer Maria Fernanda Cardoso, showcasing the vibrant and intricate beauty of Maratus spiders, also known as “peacock spiders.” These tiny Australian arachnids, no bigger than a grain of rice, are famous for their vivid colors and elaborate courtship dances.

Cardoso’s detailed portraits bring out the personality and charm of these minuscule creatures, highlighting their incredible diversity. Created in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the exhibition celebrates the artistic display of nature, showing how these tiny spiders use color, movement, and behavior to create a spectacle of life and survival.

Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check Maria’s Instagram account for more amazing photos.

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"The Maratus spiders of Australia are some of the most colorful and charming spiders in the world,” says Maria Fernanda Cardoso, who captures their tiny details in her vivid portraits. Her exhibition, Spiders of Paradise, created with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, showcases the amazing variety of these spiders.

Often called “peacock spiders,” male Maratus are known for their bright colors and dramatic courtship dances, sometimes even leading to fights. When a male tries to impress a female, he raises his legs, shows off his colorful abdomen, and dances with all his might—because if he fails, the female might eat him instead.

There are over 100 different species of Maratus, and these tiny spiders, measuring just three to five millimeters, are smaller than a grain of rice. “To me, their use of color, gesture, sound, and movement makes them sophisticated performers,” Cardoso says."