Birds of a Feather is a photography series of portraits of live birds, set against opulent, historically inspired backdrops that refer to the decorative traditions of past centuries. This interplay of subject and setting invites reflection on themes of beauty, domestication, and the human impulse to collect and categorize the natural world.
[Excerpt from BIRDS OF A FEATHER Book] Over centuries, few things have captivated the human imagination quite like birds. The myth and symbolism of birds appear often in human creative expression, serving as metaphors for freedom, beauty, and transcendence. Birds of a Feather — an extensive series of portraits of live birds photographed on location against opulent historically inspired backgrounds — builds on this fascination.
Inspired by nature and with admiration for our feathered companions, the imagery hopes to draw viewers in with color, form, and pattern; these providing the backdrop for the birds to charm as they mirror the self-conscious poses of humans in unexpected ways and reveal their unique personalities. The aesthetic of the series is intentionally layered. Vibrant colors and intricate patterns captivate the eye. It’s about the birds, but not solely about the birds — the richly ornamented background becomes a character in its own right, amplifying the themes of beauty, domestication, and the human desire to weave nature into daily life.
The human desire to be surrounded by images of birds and the natural world has been reflected in household ornamentation throughout time and across civilizations. Birds have been immortalized in cave drawings dating back 40,000 years. Frescoes in Ancient Rome were adorned with images depicting lush flora and fauna. During the Renaissance, Rafael reinvented this ancient style through his 'Grotesques', paintings and tapestries that depict birds, fruits, and plant life. Carefully crafted representations of the natural world were later re-imagined in 19th century Britain when William Morris featured wild birds and vegetation in richly ornamented wallpaper that would decorate Victorian homes.
As William Morris was designing his flora and fauna motifs, Europe unleashed colonization across the globe and with it, the brutal domination of faraway places, creatures and cultures. As ‘discoveries’ were displaced to Europe and the Americas, they fueled aviary collection and display as part of an impulse to collect and catalog the natural world.
Such human fascinations are often perilous for the natural world. The intersection of art and scientific study created a new genre of avian art, made mainstream by John James Audubon whose highly collectible folios brought the natural world into the home as decor. Though his name is synonymous with bird conservation today, Audubon himself was responsible for the deaths of thousands of birds — all sacrificed in the name of art and knowledge.
Birds of a Feather is an exploration of the aesthetic and ethical lineage of these traditions. The series originated from a fascination with the beauty of parrots and song birds. It grew to include a wide variety of birds, from majestic raptors to farm-dwelling ducks and chickens. The project nods to historical styles while its contemporary approach creates an intriguing dialogue between past and present.
This intersection of art, history, and ornithology invites viewers to consider not just how we depict birds, but why. What does our enduring fascination with avian beauty say about our relationship with the natural world and its creatures? How do these representations shape — or distort — our perceptions of nature?
18” x 12” | edition of 15 | $ 975
36” x 24” | edition of 07 | $ 3,000
60” x 40” | edition of 05 | $ 4,525
Prices rise as the editions run out.
A selection of images sized 8×12 and smaller are reserved for limited edition books, auctions, and participant prints, with a total edition not to exceed 150 copies across all sizes combined.
Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle Fine Art German Etching Paper. Signed & Numbered on front of print in pencil. Dimensions refer to Image Size. Prints have an additional 1" paper white border around the Image Size. Prices do not include Matting, Framing, Mounting, or Installation.
Artwork is created upon order. Please allow 2-3 weeks for production before shipment. Rush Orders available for an additional fee. If you need a piece by a specific date kindly include it in the notes section of your order.
A small percentage of the artist's profits will be donated to benefit avian conservation.