Spanish Dagger
2022
Watercolor, ink, and water, photographic transfer on silk
Framed:
39 x 54 cm / 15 x 24 in
Framed in museum quality aluminium frame. Ships in a small crate
Spanish Dagger takes its name from the spiky yucca plant found in Erin Bird’s own garden—a resilient plant known for its sharp leaves capable of piercing through skin. In this piece, Bird transforms the yucca’s physical characteristics into an abstract narrative about strength, defense, and survival. Through her signature Waterprints technique, the artwork reflects the juxtaposition between the plant’s rigid, protective form and the fluid nature of water that shapes the composition.
The sharp, dagger-like shapes in the piece evoke the plant’s piercing quality, while the flowing layers of color soften the intensity, suggesting a balance between danger and beauty. The vibrant palette contrasts with deeper shadows, symbolizing both the plant’s ability to thrive in harsh environments and its potential to wound those who come too close.
In Spanish Dagger, Bird explores the concept of natural defenses—how we, like the yucca, develop protective barriers in the face of vulnerability. The piece invites viewers to reflect on the tension between self-preservation and exposure, with its sharp forms and fluid textures offering a meditation on resilience and the delicate dance between strength and fragility.
2022
Watercolor, ink, and water, photographic transfer on silk
Framed:
39 x 54 cm / 15 x 24 in
Framed in museum quality aluminium frame. Ships in a small crate
Spanish Dagger takes its name from the spiky yucca plant found in Erin Bird’s own garden—a resilient plant known for its sharp leaves capable of piercing through skin. In this piece, Bird transforms the yucca’s physical characteristics into an abstract narrative about strength, defense, and survival. Through her signature Waterprints technique, the artwork reflects the juxtaposition between the plant’s rigid, protective form and the fluid nature of water that shapes the composition.
The sharp, dagger-like shapes in the piece evoke the plant’s piercing quality, while the flowing layers of color soften the intensity, suggesting a balance between danger and beauty. The vibrant palette contrasts with deeper shadows, symbolizing both the plant’s ability to thrive in harsh environments and its potential to wound those who come too close.
In Spanish Dagger, Bird explores the concept of natural defenses—how we, like the yucca, develop protective barriers in the face of vulnerability. The piece invites viewers to reflect on the tension between self-preservation and exposure, with its sharp forms and fluid textures offering a meditation on resilience and the delicate dance between strength and fragility.
2022
Watercolor, ink, and water, photographic transfer on silk
Framed:
39 x 54 cm / 15 x 24 in
Framed in museum quality aluminium frame. Ships in a small crate
Spanish Dagger takes its name from the spiky yucca plant found in Erin Bird’s own garden—a resilient plant known for its sharp leaves capable of piercing through skin. In this piece, Bird transforms the yucca’s physical characteristics into an abstract narrative about strength, defense, and survival. Through her signature Waterprints technique, the artwork reflects the juxtaposition between the plant’s rigid, protective form and the fluid nature of water that shapes the composition.
The sharp, dagger-like shapes in the piece evoke the plant’s piercing quality, while the flowing layers of color soften the intensity, suggesting a balance between danger and beauty. The vibrant palette contrasts with deeper shadows, symbolizing both the plant’s ability to thrive in harsh environments and its potential to wound those who come too close.
In Spanish Dagger, Bird explores the concept of natural defenses—how we, like the yucca, develop protective barriers in the face of vulnerability. The piece invites viewers to reflect on the tension between self-preservation and exposure, with its sharp forms and fluid textures offering a meditation on resilience and the delicate dance between strength and fragility.