pa F&B RayHarrisChing AustralianBirds Penny Olsen

The composition presents a dense accumulation of avian forms arranged around a central, prone figure. The background is muted, a warm sepia tone that allows the vibrant colors of the birds to dominate the visual field. A vertical band of what appears to be sheet music or aged paper occupies the left edge, providing a textural contrast and hinting at themes of memory or documentation.
Here we see a multitude of bird species, rendered with varying degrees of detail. Some are sharply defined, their plumage meticulously depicted, while others appear more as gestural marks, contributing to an overall sense of abundance and teeming life. The birds occupy different planes within the composition; some seem to float in the space, others perch on the central figure, creating a layered effect that defies easy spatial comprehension.
The prone figure, draped with what appears to be a fur or animal skin, is positioned horizontally across the lower portion of the canvas. It’s difficult to discern any facial features, and its posture suggests vulnerability or repose. Attached to this figure are small tags or labels, which introduce an element of scientific observation or classification into the scene.
The subtexts within the work seem to revolve around themes of biodiversity, natural history, and perhaps a commentary on human interaction with the environment. The sheer number of birds could be interpreted as a celebration of Australia’s unique fauna, while the presence of the prone figure – and the labels affixed to it – suggests an act of observation or even preservation. Theres a sense of melancholy present; the abundance of life is juxtaposed with the stillness and potential fragility of the central form. The inclusion of sheet music might allude to the ephemeral nature of beauty, or perhaps to the recording and archiving of natural phenomena. Overall, the painting evokes a complex interplay between reverence for the natural world and an awareness of its vulnerability.