SILK TOMB
The silk moth is one of the most domesticated insects in the world. The cocoon, made from a single continuous silk thread, is boiled just before the worm becomes a moth. This is done so that the silk thread can be spun as a whole, rather than in broken pieces after the moth leaves the cocoon. This leads to a better quality of fabric, but kills the worm inside. In the process of pupation, the silk worm wraps itself up in its own, luxurious thread and unknowingly builds its own grave. With this in mind, I’ve created a Silk Tomb, made of deadstock silk from the fashion industry.
SHOWBIRD
The fancy pigeon is a relative of the city pigeon. This bird is bred for its superficial qualities and at annual shows, hobbyists and experts come together to crown the most beautiful pigeons. The fantail pigeon depicted here is moulting. In the moulting phase, they work hard for a new set of feathers, for which they could potentially be rewarded with a fine prize. These rosettes translate this journey.
SHADOW
I’m interested in how we look at animals, or would rather look away from them, and how that can change. The pigeon and the silk worm have gained a new image and appearance due to human intervention over time. The city pigeons on these photos are covered, they blend in with their own shadows.
PIGEON SOUVENIR
Most city pigeons are descended from racing pigeons that have gone astray. For centuries, humans have transported pigeons around the world. They used to be cared for and trained, but now they wander round the city and live difficult lives. For this exhibition, I created a pigeon souvenir. ‘A souvenir is an object that people give or receive to memorialise something.’ It’s an object that can carry meaningful memories with it. The clipped feathers in the packet symbolise the role of humans in the process of pigeon domestication. By viewing this work, can the audience reconsider the city pigeon and see them as the popular birds they once were?
A GENTLE TOUCH
I want to investigate the relationship between humans and the fancy pigeon with a gentle touch. Keeping an animal at home costs time, money and requires a lot of space. Without affection, it’s an impossible task. But what kind of life is it for a bird that lives in a garden and can’t fly due to being domesticated for centuries? By partially obscuring the image with a flock, a soft foil, their situation is questioned.
FURRY