Swift Drinking
Swift Drinking - bronze, March 2018
Most of us are familiar with the Common Swift as 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-up because the swift spends nearly all of its life on the wing - eating, drinking, mating and sleeping, only coming down to earth to have its young. But we can instantly recognise swifts in the air from their scimitar wings, sweeping movements and excited screams. Tragically, swift numbers are dwindling in the UK, partly because of the unavailability of suitable nesting sites due to modern building practices, so we can only hope that future generations will still be able to enjoy their aerobatic displays. For the moment, I am blessed to have swifts screaming and circling round my North Norfolk cottage throughout the summer.
In this piece inspired by a swift descending to earth briefly to drink, I am attempting to capture a spirit and movement which fleetingly signals the bird’s identity. I am also fascinated by the similarities of the swift at close quarters to a bird of prey, and therefore dwell on the savagery of the swift’s proportionately enormous gaping mouth as it drinks and feeds – a feature which along with its screams and inaccessibility may be the reason it earned the name ‘Devil Bird’ in folklore.
The piece was as originally cast at the McKinney Fine Art Foundry but edition numbers 3 onwards have been cast by Gus Farnes of Creative Construct.xyz. It measures approximately 40cm H, 22cm D and 33cm W and weighs 7.9kg. It is available to buy in a limited edition of 9 (5 available). Please note the patina finish may be different to the one shown. POA
Most of us are familiar with the Common Swift as 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-up because the swift spends nearly all of its life on the wing - eating, drinking, mating and sleeping, only coming down to earth to have its young. But we can instantly recognise swifts in the air from their scimitar wings, sweeping movements and excited screams. Tragically, swift numbers are dwindling in the UK, partly because of the unavailability of suitable nesting sites due to modern building practices, so we can only hope that future generations will still be able to enjoy their aerobatic displays. For the moment, I am blessed to have swifts screaming and circling round my North Norfolk cottage throughout the summer.
In this piece inspired by a swift descending to earth briefly to drink, I am attempting to capture a spirit and movement which fleetingly signals the bird’s identity. I am also fascinated by the similarities of the swift at close quarters to a bird of prey, and therefore dwell on the savagery of the swift’s proportionately enormous gaping mouth as it drinks and feeds – a feature which along with its screams and inaccessibility may be the reason it earned the name ‘Devil Bird’ in folklore.
The piece was as originally cast at the McKinney Fine Art Foundry but edition numbers 3 onwards have been cast by Gus Farnes of Creative Construct.xyz. It measures approximately 40cm H, 22cm D and 33cm W and weighs 7.9kg. It is available to buy in a limited edition of 9 (5 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.
