Spirits of the Preserve
Spirits of The Preserve, 2022, Site Specific Installation at Blue Heron Nature preserve, Atlanta GA
“Spirits of the Preserve,” was part of Art of Nature 2022, an outdoor exhibition at Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta. The theme for the art was “light as a feather” and sought creations that interacted and engaged lightly with the land. BHNP is a beautiful natural oasis of 30 acres tucked in right off of busy Roswell Road. The heritage of the preserve is rooted in the Creek (Muscogee) Indians who lived on the land 200 years prior. Spaces like these need our support - especially right now with all of the development threatening around the preserve and all over Atlanta. This project is basically a prayer of sorts for preservation and balance amidst the greedy insatiable force of development.
The branch design under the wing of each Heron is a nod to the beauty and importance in the old growth rapidly disappearing in and around Atlanta. The contrasting serrated circle pattern on each wing, underneath the branch design, symbolizes the full moon, a leaf and also the circular pattern in many Creek nation designs and symbols.
The design on the back of the bird is yannick (and also womb-like or whatever the word is for internal female organs) - something that didn't occur on purpose as an afore thought - but I realized it pretty quickly and just went with it. Because, after all, it is appropriate. And natural world being associated with the maternal and the feminine is just one of the many things that connects me so much to it. There are seven birds in the heronry. This number is considered unique for its spiritual properties throughout many religions. This project is a protective prayer for the natural world and the feminine.
Materials for each Heron:
White Oak, Walnut and Cherry wood veneers,
water-proof wood glue,
stainless steel light gauge wire,
spar-urethane,
fishing line