the art of birds

it is believed that birds were first depicted in cave art more than 17 000 years ago, but it was only when the Lascaux caves were first discovered in France in 1940 that their emergence as subjects for prehistoric painters gripped the public imagination.

- CLIVE WALKER

To see them as symbols in art and society, one only has to look back to the Egyptians and their portrayal of falcons, herons and geese in gold and stone carvings many centuries ago. Birds have long appealed to humans and today they are a significant part of our iconography, emblazoned as they are on the flags of various nations, coins and paper currency, national crests, corporate logos and more. It is to the artistic depictions of birds that I am drawn.

My own interest in painting birds was influenced by the work, style and execution of Chinese artists from the 10th century. Their depictions were not intended just for the benefit of science, but rather to convey respect and recognition of birds for a number reasons – symbolism, fertility, freedom, faithfulness, bravery – as encouraged by various emperors. The artists did, however, know exactly what bird species they were painting, and the oriental style of pen and ink and watercolour on rice paper is breathtaking in its economy of line, which has had a great influence on my own style.

It was not until the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries that we were able to fully appreciate the depiction of birds as an art form, thanks largely to the use of steam-driven printing presses that enabled a broad section of the public to access and enjoy books and large monographs about the birds of the world.