Bruised Eye
Watercolor, ink, and water, photographic transfer on silk
76 x 66 cm / 30 x 26 in
Framed in a museum quality hand-welded aluminium
Shortlisted for the 2024 Jackson Art Prize
Erin Bird's Bruised Eye is a nuanced exploration of memory and perception, capturing the layers of meaning within a singular, intimate moment. Crafted with watercolor, ink, water, and photographic transfer on silk, the artwork portrays a small figure seated at a table, face resting in hand—a posture evoking quiet daydreaming. Though the face is abstracted, details like the child's stature, butterfly headband, and pink jumper reveal the subject as Bird's daughter, imbuing the piece with personal tenderness.
The inspiration stems from observing her daughter lost in thought beside a collection of freshly picked pears from their garden in rural Surrey. The bruised pears, nestled in the child's pink jumper, symbolize a modest harvest rich with familial significance. Although her daughter had a black eye from a recent fall, Bird intentionally omits this detail from the visual narrative, choosing instead to focus on the tranquility and innocence of the moment.
Dominated by a pink palette that radiates warmth and softness, the composition is punctuated by the vibrant green of the pears. A dynamic sweep of light blue and neon pink cuts across the center of the silk canvas, injecting energy that catapults the viewer back into the present. This bold mark disrupts the serene setting, symbolizing the sudden shifts in memory and the interplay between past and present.
The use of silk as a medium adds an ethereal quality, allowing pigments to diffuse organically and creating a delicate balance between clarity and obscurity. This mirrors how certain details in our memories fade while others remain vivid. The abstraction of the face invites deeper engagement, encouraging viewers to contemplate the unseen emotions and thoughts beneath the surface.
By weaving together personal recollection and artistic expression, Bruised Eye becomes a meditation on the selective nature of memory and the beauty found in everyday moments. The piece bridges stillness and movement, the seen and unseen, offering a rich exploration of the human experience through the lens of a fleeting, yet profound, moment.
Price on request
Watercolor, ink, and water, photographic transfer on silk
76 x 66 cm / 30 x 26 in
Framed in a museum quality hand-welded aluminium
Shortlisted for the 2024 Jackson Art Prize
Erin Bird's Bruised Eye is a nuanced exploration of memory and perception, capturing the layers of meaning within a singular, intimate moment. Crafted with watercolor, ink, water, and photographic transfer on silk, the artwork portrays a small figure seated at a table, face resting in hand—a posture evoking quiet daydreaming. Though the face is abstracted, details like the child's stature, butterfly headband, and pink jumper reveal the subject as Bird's daughter, imbuing the piece with personal tenderness.
The inspiration stems from observing her daughter lost in thought beside a collection of freshly picked pears from their garden in rural Surrey. The bruised pears, nestled in the child's pink jumper, symbolize a modest harvest rich with familial significance. Although her daughter had a black eye from a recent fall, Bird intentionally omits this detail from the visual narrative, choosing instead to focus on the tranquility and innocence of the moment.
Dominated by a pink palette that radiates warmth and softness, the composition is punctuated by the vibrant green of the pears. A dynamic sweep of light blue and neon pink cuts across the center of the silk canvas, injecting energy that catapults the viewer back into the present. This bold mark disrupts the serene setting, symbolizing the sudden shifts in memory and the interplay between past and present.
The use of silk as a medium adds an ethereal quality, allowing pigments to diffuse organically and creating a delicate balance between clarity and obscurity. This mirrors how certain details in our memories fade while others remain vivid. The abstraction of the face invites deeper engagement, encouraging viewers to contemplate the unseen emotions and thoughts beneath the surface.
By weaving together personal recollection and artistic expression, Bruised Eye becomes a meditation on the selective nature of memory and the beauty found in everyday moments. The piece bridges stillness and movement, the seen and unseen, offering a rich exploration of the human experience through the lens of a fleeting, yet profound, moment.
Price on request
Watercolor, ink, and water, photographic transfer on silk
76 x 66 cm / 30 x 26 in
Framed in a museum quality hand-welded aluminium
Shortlisted for the 2024 Jackson Art Prize
Erin Bird's Bruised Eye is a nuanced exploration of memory and perception, capturing the layers of meaning within a singular, intimate moment. Crafted with watercolor, ink, water, and photographic transfer on silk, the artwork portrays a small figure seated at a table, face resting in hand—a posture evoking quiet daydreaming. Though the face is abstracted, details like the child's stature, butterfly headband, and pink jumper reveal the subject as Bird's daughter, imbuing the piece with personal tenderness.
The inspiration stems from observing her daughter lost in thought beside a collection of freshly picked pears from their garden in rural Surrey. The bruised pears, nestled in the child's pink jumper, symbolize a modest harvest rich with familial significance. Although her daughter had a black eye from a recent fall, Bird intentionally omits this detail from the visual narrative, choosing instead to focus on the tranquility and innocence of the moment.
Dominated by a pink palette that radiates warmth and softness, the composition is punctuated by the vibrant green of the pears. A dynamic sweep of light blue and neon pink cuts across the center of the silk canvas, injecting energy that catapults the viewer back into the present. This bold mark disrupts the serene setting, symbolizing the sudden shifts in memory and the interplay between past and present.
The use of silk as a medium adds an ethereal quality, allowing pigments to diffuse organically and creating a delicate balance between clarity and obscurity. This mirrors how certain details in our memories fade while others remain vivid. The abstraction of the face invites deeper engagement, encouraging viewers to contemplate the unseen emotions and thoughts beneath the surface.
By weaving together personal recollection and artistic expression, Bruised Eye becomes a meditation on the selective nature of memory and the beauty found in everyday moments. The piece bridges stillness and movement, the seen and unseen, offering a rich exploration of the human experience through the lens of a fleeting, yet profound, moment.
Price on request