Cattybird 2011
Can something beautiful make you feel uncomfortable? Can you experience funny and disturbing at once? The mythical beasts of Artist-Jeweler Emily Valentine do that. They are bizarrely fascinating: winged dogs, flying cats and lizards, foxes, and most recently airplanes. She uses feather as her paint and pets as her canvas, an unusual technique she has been developing for over a decade.
Seagull Airliner 2010
Her latest creations involve airplanes. “The planes move the work in a new direction – combining the man-made form with the bird. Planes are colonizing the skies. Birds no longer dominate our view of the heavens.” The Australian artist says.
From the artist website: “In my work I wish to discuss how attitudes to wearing birds parts have changed. Is this just because of fashion, or has society become more caring of animals? I wish to stimulate the viewer with the uncomfortable nature of the feather, to question our callousness treatment of animals and birds, and ask how we sub-consciously classify animals – pet or pest, valued or worthless, beautiful or plain and why.”
Pair of Pugcocks 2008
Foxy Budgie 2008
What a Dog 2010
Myna Squadron 2011
Kittykeet 2011
Minah Chiwhawha 2007
Click here to see more of Mrs Valentine work.
All images © Emily Valentine Bullock
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