Swift (Devil Bird)
Swift (Devil Bird) - bronze, January 2018
The Common Swift is to many the herald of the beginning and end of summer as it migrates from and to South Africa. However, few of us have had the privilege of seeing one close-to because the swift spends nearly all of its life on the wing - eating, drinking, mating and sleeping, only touching down to earth to have its young. By focussing on this remarkable creature’s head I hope to encourage the viewer to see the bird in a new light. In particular the gaze which has the intensity of a bird of prey, and makes me wonder whether this seeming ferocity, along with the screams and inaccessibility of a life lived high above the earth, may have contributed to the swift being known historically as the ‘Devil Bird’.
The piece is cast in bronze (with a Jesmonite plinth) at the McKinney Fine Art Foundry (see Links). Swift (Devil Bird) measures approximately 36cm H (including plinth), 22cm D and 22cm W. It is available to buy in a limited edition of 9 (8 available). Please note the patina finish may be different to the one shown. POA
The Common Swift is to many the herald of the beginning and end of summer as it migrates from and to South Africa. However, few of us have had the privilege of seeing one close-to because the swift spends nearly all of its life on the wing - eating, drinking, mating and sleeping, only touching down to earth to have its young. By focussing on this remarkable creature’s head I hope to encourage the viewer to see the bird in a new light. In particular the gaze which has the intensity of a bird of prey, and makes me wonder whether this seeming ferocity, along with the screams and inaccessibility of a life lived high above the earth, may have contributed to the swift being known historically as the ‘Devil Bird’.
The piece is cast in bronze (with a Jesmonite plinth) at the McKinney Fine Art Foundry (see Links). Swift (Devil Bird) measures approximately 36cm H (including plinth), 22cm D and 22cm W. It is available to buy in a limited edition of 9 (8 available). Please note the patina finish may be different to the one shown. POA
Contact Alison by email if you are interested in purchasing one of the above editions.