Artist’s Statement:
For five years I have been taking New York City street pigeons into make-shift studios to give them their day in a glamorous spotlight. These unappreciated, ubiquitous birds dazzle in front of the camera – displaying their personalities, beauty and iridescence. As a native New Yorker, I was ambivalent towards these everyday grey birds. It was not until I began working with wildlife rehabbers that I appreciated the diversity and splendor of these personable and kind avian creatures. I hope through these photographs to create a greater appreciation for the natural world that surrounds us in our dense urban environments.
Artist’s Bio:
I am a New York based editorial and art photographer, currently working on a book on “The New York Pigeon” with University of Chicago Press; publication date, spring 2016. In 2013 I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to continue documentation of Stalin Era industrial facilities in Siberia. It was my third trip to this region since 2000. For the past 7 years I have been deeply involved with the Wild Bird Fund and the bird rehabilitation community, also working as a injured bird transporter for the NYC Audubon Society.