Why Chickens?

Throughout history, the ubiquitous chicken has maintained an important and constant presence in many cultures worldwide. Beyond their role as a food source and a source of income, these humble and unassuming birds show up in religion, music, art, and medicine.

Their influence spans all aspects of our culture. They are a subject of folklore, occult mystery, and sometimes comedy. This multi-dimensional quality, how we see the chicken, is a reflection of ourselves.

The paradox of the unassuming bird and its role reflecting human characteristics makes the form particularly well suited to art. These sculptures combine the important features of the chicken which allows us to relate and a surface treatment which complements its specific personality.

The sculptures' three dimensional form is a canvas on which the qualities inherent in the form are defined and extended through the use of paint or patina.

After years of depicting three dimensional objects on a two dimensional canvas, I found myself wanting a new surface and shape on which to paint. I found the basic chicken form, with its universal and versatile qualities, a perfect beginning. To provide a suitable painting surface and form and still retain the basic elements of the chicken resulted in a semi- abstracted form.

A combination of metal, wire, paper, and acrylic compound were used to create a series of chicken forms. After the basic shape is acquired, several coats of acrylic compound are applied to the surface. It is necessary to sand between each coat of compound, the shape can still be altered minimally at this stage. Three to four coats of gesso are applied to the surface once the acrylic compound is dry.

Each basic form emerged in its semi-abstracted state with a unique personality. Each chicken receives a painted surface reflecting the personality inherent in the body shape and facial form.

Several forms have been selected as basic canvases. These forms have been cast in resin to provide a blank canvas on which to paint. The surface is treated within a range consistent with the personality of the form. Some of the forms have been treated with bronze and steel surfaces and allowed to naturally oxidize. Some forms have been rendered as bronze castings with patina surfaces. See: cast resin sculptures.

On one level, there is a pleasing form of the semi-abstracted chicken presented with its painted surface treatment. The personalities and roles depicted by the sculptures are human and tell us something about ourselves.

My quest for a three dimensional canvas has been an evolutionary process. The journey has been one of frustration, education, and delight. My chickens have made me smile and have fed (satisfied) my desire to sculpt and paint. I hope people will enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed the process of making them.