Flights of Fancy
Woven birds by Fibre Basket Makers of the ACT
Homestead Gallery 2
7June - 2 July 2023
Lyn Davidson
Rebecca Drew
Christianne Keller
Leonie Lucey
Ann McMahon
Adrienne Nicholson
Weavers and members of the Fibre Basket Makers of the ACT have responded to a bird theme by creating sculptural works that explore these beautiful inhabitants of the natural world that fascinate and inspire artists and twitchers the world over. The artists have used natural and manmade materials in their works as a reflection of their personal preferences or as a means of commenting on the materiality and waste generated by contemporary society and its infiltration into rural and even remote areas of the environment. They have been inspired by weave techniques and structures and the forms of Avian creatures in all their richness and diversity.
Birds have, from time immemorial been seen as totems, symbols and as supernatural messengers. Flight is a powerful symbol for intellect, imagination and freedom. Various types of birds are traditional symbols, for instance: cranes or storks are associated with blessings and good luck; swans with grace and romance; hope and peace with the dove, feminine strength and wisdom with owls; vanity and luxury with the peacock, fertility with chickens, while roosters can be seen as expressing vigour and strength; eagles are powerful and crows are believed to be cunning and intelligent. Humans cannot help but to anthropomorphise and it is easy to see birds nests as metaphors for home and comfort, flocks for community and families.