A Bird in the Hand - Art Gallery of Alberta

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition ProgramCuratorial StatementA Bird in the HandA bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.Alexander PopePastorals - SpringThe earth is truly blessed with an amazingvariety of creatures. All possess their ownunique and special characteristics and,throughout time, have intrigued and inspiredmankind in a multitude of ways. None, however,have proved to be such a continuous source ofwonder as birds.Since early man first saw birds take flight,these winged creatures have captured hisimagination. Birds feature in the creation mythsand have been worshipped as gods, or serveas messengers of the gods, in many of theworld’s cultures; they have inspired the musingsof philosophers, poets and other writers; theyhave motivated the investigations of scientists,engineers and architects; and, since man firststarted drawing, painting and sculpting in cavesover 30,000 years ago, birds have been asubject in visual art.own relationships to the ‘fine featheredfriends’ who share our homes, our backyards,and the very air we breathe.What do you think of when you see a raven,or spy the first robin of spring?How do you feel when you hear the cry ofgeese as they fly south in the fall?Have you ever wished you could...fly?I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulderfor a moment, while I was hoeing in a villagegarden, and I felt that I was more distiguishedby that circumstance than I should have beenby any epaulet I could have worn.Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)Why has there been this fascination withthese creatures? What characteristics do birdspossess to warrant the creative attention ofmen and women?The art works in the exhibition A Bird in theHand, drawn from the collection of the AlbertaFoundation for the Arts, examine the manyways birds have been approached by visualartists. Featuring art work produced in a varietyof media by some of Alberta’s most importantartists and art educators, this exhibitionexamines not only how birds have beenportrayed by visual artists, but also exploressome of the reasons for and possible meaningsbehind these investigations. In the process,these works invite the viewer to consider theirIllingworth KerrMagpies, Winter Sun, 1982Linocut on Paper9 inches X 5 7/8 inchesA Bird in the Hand was curated by ShaneGolby (Art Gallery of Alberta) for The AlbertaFoundation for the Arts Travelling ExhibitionProgram. The AFA Travelling Exhibition Program isfinancially supported by the Alberta Foundation forthe Arts.AFA Travelling Exhibition Program, Edmonton, AB Ph: 780.428.3830 Fax: 780.421.0479youraga.ca