This great shot by photographer Frances Mocnik shows the birds from the perspective of the front reception staff welcoming visitors to Novotel Sydney City Centre from York Street, Sydney. The hotel is near Martin Place and the heart of the business district. Frances has captured my birds flying in (left) and flying (out). I had envisaged when visitors dine at Birdie Bar & Brasserie they would gather around the table with family, friends or even a solo moment. Hence the ‘flying in’ concept. When people departed, I could visualise them ‘flying out’ and onwards – back to work, on their way home or taking in the sights of Sydney.
In late 2023, I was approached by public art consultants, Artduo to create two artworks for a hotel in Sydney. At that time it was embargoed as the launch would not occur till early 2024. For three and a half months I went about researching, drawing and selecting the birds and flora as the inspiration from the interiors of the hotel as well as a beautiful, tropical wallpaper being installed in a restaurant.
You can follow my journey by clicking on the image below to read the book.
Below are the birds and plant life which inspired the patterns I would create on the bodies of each bird. This takes time to consider the shape, feathers, structures in order for them to translate well when I pierce holes or press markings. Then I go on to the actual making. That alone is another story! In a nutshell, the birds are slip cast, joined, pattern penciled, pierced / pressed, fired, sanded and polished. It’s a laborious process but one I love so much due to my love of birdlife and all creatures/flora and fauna great and small.
The final install and seeing my imagined artworks captured beautifully by Sydney Photographer Frances Mocnik. I love the ‘peep’ shots too.
Thanks
I would like to thank Artduo for the opportunity to create two new artworks and pushing new boundaries for me with displaying them as a wall artwork. I’ve been displaying my birds as objects since 2015 so this was a very exciting outcome.
I would also like to thank Andrew Sikorski from Art Atelier Photography who photographed the birds for my portfolio. Kurt Wang at Fidoso Picture Framing who framed them beautifully. Photographer Frances Mocnik for documenting them in their new home.
Recently, I asked Photographer Frances Mocnik to document my birds in their new location at Novotel Sydney City Centre. Having my artworks professionally photographed assists with prosperity, applying for grants/awards/prizes and other opportunities where the viewer needs to see my birds at their best.
I think you would agree Frances has captured them beautifully. Enjoy!
