Myfanwy MacLeod, The Birds (2010). Vancouver, BC, (Canada)

Myfanwy MacLeod, The Birds (2010). Vancouver, BC, (Canada)
 The Birds  were created by Vancouver artist Myfanwy MacLeod and commissioned through the City's Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program. The sculptures are one of the last permanent projects to be installed under the program.

Standing 4.5 metres tall and perched on small benches, the pair of sparrows - a male and a female - were inspired by the community's focus on sustainability and a desire to convey political and social meaning through public art. The work highlights, with beauty, whimsy and sheer size, our relationship with nature and the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

More than a year in the making, the sculptures are modeled on the common sparrow, ubiquitous to many Vancouver neighbourhoods. Using small models and digital drawings, the birds were built to scale. The bodies were constructed with polystyrene over an interior steel structure, then coated with polyurea and painted.

Vancouver artist Myfanwy MacLeod is known for her wry sense of humour and ability to use her art work to analyze the relationships between individuals and the art world. The recipient of a 1999 Vancouver Institute of Visual Arts (VIVA) Award, MacLeod has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions in Canada, most recently at the Catriona Jeffries Gallery, and abroad. She has also taught locally at the University of British Columbia and Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver.

Please visit : http://olympichostcity.vancouver.ca/cityhighlights