The art of the bird, in all of its elegance, is celebrated through the work of 118 artists worldwide during the 47th annual Birds in Art exhibition. The exhibition includes 23 artists who were named Master Artists during previous Birds in Art exhibitions, and 95 artists whose work was selected by the jury out of nearly 600 total applicants. Held at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, the exhibition brings collectors an array of mediums to explore—paintings in watercolor, oil and acrylic, as well as sculpture in stone, wood, aluminum and bronze. There will also be drawings in graphite, pastel and charcoal, and that’s just naming a few.
Rose Tanner, Long Migration, oil on linen, 16 x 20"
Diane Mason, Rooster Royalty, bronze, 12 x 12 x 12"
Among the many top-tier artists exhibiting in this year’s event is Diane Mason. In her bronze, Rooster Royalty, she depicts a handsome rooster and manages to deftly capture the complex feathered forms of the creature. “Rooster Royalty is a tribute to the exquisite beauty to be found in the conformation of a Japanese Bantam Rooster—truly a ‘royal’ form of poultry breeding,” says Mason. “This breed has a relatively large head, comb and wattles, with a small body, short legs and magnificent tail! I generally work with a concept incorporating a little story line, often infused with anthropomorphism and gentle humor. In this case, however, I simply wanted to play up the lovely shapes and traits of this very sculptural bird.”
An attendee takes a close look at a piece of artwork at the 2021 Birds in Art exhibition. Photo by Richard Wunsch, courtesy of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI.Of her show piece Long Migration, Rose Tanner says, “It was happenstance that brought together the terns, the inukshuk and the landscape for this painting.There are thousands of ideas, subjects and creative ways to express yourself as an artist. One exploration of a subject leads to another—that’s what makes art so beautiful and fulfilling for me. The randomness and inspiration meet to bring about something nobody has seen before.”
Visitors mingle on top of the Rooftop Sculpture Garden during last year’s opening weekend. Photo by Richard Wunsch, courtesy of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI.Planning is currently underway for exhibition-opening festivities on Saturday morning, September 10. The exhibition will be on view during the museum’s extended opening-weekend hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 11. The exhibition remains on view through November 27. Visit www.lywam.org for additional details as they unfold. —
Birds in Art
When: September 10-November 27, 2022
Where: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, 700 North 12th Street, Wausau, WI 54403
Information: (715) 845-7010, www.lywam.org
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