The work ‘Vanishing Birds’ responds to the environmental crisis facing the UK bird population. 624 bird breeds inhabit the UK, 70 of which appear on the 'Birds of Conservation Concern' endangered breeds list, often referred to as the ‘Red List’.  This is more than 10% of the UK bird population, and once gone it is complex and difficult to encourage and reintroduce the birds back to the UK.  

Using an interdisciplinary approach to highlight and explore the diminishing UK bird population ‘Vanishing Birds’ aspires to embody an ecological truth, grounded in green theory/ecocriticism.  I give voice to natures plight through beauty and underlying sadness, echoing the fragility of the earth with delicately balanced clay birds, positioning the work in a tree and by doing so ‘communicating with nature to communicate nature’.

Ecocriticism, green theory underpins the installation, Laurence Coupe’s words ‘green theory debates nature to defend nature’ inspired my practice and led to the creation of ‘Vanishing Birds’.  

The work aims to unlock routes into ecocriticism by raising awareness and promoting inquiry into the relationships between humans and ecology, ultimately encouraging and exploring how through art humans might become advocates for the rights of nature and address existing inequities and restore equilibrium.

Vanishing Birds was inspired by artists Jayne Ivimey’s, The Red List (2022), Rachel Berwick’s, Zugunruhe (2009/2010) and Peter Walker’s, Peace Doves (2024).