Like birds of a feather

I have become extremely inspired by the feathers I've collected on my travels, and have now decided to make them the main element of my project. They are very versatile, as I have recently discovered.  The painstakingly detailed work of Ian Davie has shown me their true potential. 

 

His handpainted work has influenced me to use my feathers as a 'canvas'. Using these like fabric, I am going to apply techniques such as lazertran and stitch to experiment with texture and imagery. However, this is not a new technique. The embellishment of feathers, ''Arteplumeria'', has been dated back to the pre-Columbian era, where artisans of the First People used feathers in headdresses as a way of presenting their status in a tribe. 

The appreciation of feathers throughout this special culture is one to be admired, through their spiritual connection with animals. I am considering weaving the use of some of these beliefs and ways into my project as I want to make the animal form work into the animal element of the theme through sculptural and wearable pieces.

For more of Ian Davie's work, click here.