BIRDS OF A FEATHER SERIES - "ZITKALA-SA"

Birds of a Feather collection

14"H x 12"W

Honoring Zitkala-Sa, Red Bird, Gertrude Simmons, a member of the Yankto Dakota Sioux.  A leader as a writer, musician and advocate for Native Americans.  Zitkala-Sa brought Native American stories to a broader readership.  As a musician she collaborated to write the 1st Native American opera "Sun Dance" based on sacred Sioux rituals that had been banned.

"I was not wholly conscious of myself, but was more keenly alive to the fire within."

EVA HESSE was a sculptor whose work using materials such as latex, fiberglass and plastics influenced the post-minimal art movement of the 1960's.  To honor Eva, I wanted to created a bird that reflects her fearlessness to allow her work to be messy, especially as she worked with materials that were unconventional and were not considered pretty.  I pared away shapes, deconstructed form and used bold materials not typical of my sculptures.  The shapes and forms I incorporated reflect those used by Eva in her own work.  I wanted to assemble an unassembled bird "anti-form" as Eva explored.

Debra Aalsburg Smale

17"H x 12"W x 7"D

The body of work Debra refers to as “Birds of a Feather” is a collection she started while getting her MFA in the late 70’s. The collection’s work commemorates women: women of accomplishment, women in her family and friends. The pieces show gratitude to the women they represent, for their contributions, struggles, love and support. These creations have taken on many forms: metal and wood sculptures, paintings and most recently sculptural textile birds using repurposed materials.

.

About “Birds of a Feather” from Karen Vander Werp - Grand Rapids, MI K LINN Interiors Grand Rapids, MI:

Debra always has a deliberate message behind her creative projects. I love her mission to acknowledge women of accomplishment in the form of birds. From fabric, shapes and fringe detail to beads and leg materials all are selected with relevance depicting the women they represent. These selections define their purpose, personalities and accomplishments.