Azure Kingfisher on vintage 1871 sheet from The Cornwall Chronicle

Verified Artist Certificate of Authenticity Included

Framed by Artist

A$1,990

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Artwork Details

Medium Acrylic, Paper, Framed by Artist
Dimensions 42cm (W) x 56cm (H) x 3.7cm (D)
Review Stars 21,229 Customer Reviews
Original Artwork
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Estimated Delivery Time from TAS

Tuesday, Jun 09 - Thursday, Jun 11

Artwork Description

The Tasmanian subspecies of the Azure Kingfisher has estimated numbers of less than 250 mature individuals. It is listed as endangered and yet is one of 14 species in this category that does not have a recovery plan at a state or national level. The key threats are clearing and deconditioning/modification of vegetation on and around natural waterways.

Using a vintage (1871) sheet from a Tasmanian newspaper is an allegory for what is most likely a significant decline in numbers of the species from the date this page was printed up to the present day. The unfortunate fact being that recorded survey data for the species is sparse from this date even right through to the present day, however it is a logical conclusion that the vast destruction of waterway vegetation throughout the state will have significantly decreased the population and fragmented communities

Artist Bio

Craig is a professional artist predominately painting birds but also producing works with a wildlife focus across a range of mediums including graphite pencil, colour pencil, charcoal, ink, watercolour and acrylic. The range of portrayed subjects are as varied as the medium in which they are produced ranging from the majesty of the big cats through to the grace of birds and the intricacies of insects plus all in between. Often the choice of medium and style will reflect either the subject matter itself or the type of evocative response sought from the piece.

The current focus of work is specialising in portraying birds on vintage book pages. The subject has a relationship to the page content sometimes direct and literal but also oblique. The painterly but realistic portrayal of the birds on the page sit proudly against the backdrop of the page content and yet become a part of the page itself. The pages themselves are sourced from books found in thrift shops and the story of these book pages are enhanced as they start a new life as an artwork. Any marks and blemishes on the page are a testament to that story.

The works have a focus on realism but will often retail a 'painterly' or 'drawn' quality allowing for not only a focus on the subject matter itself but also the dedication to detail and technique needed to produce such works and similarly reflecting on the complexity of the subject and of the relationships in the natural world. The variation in styles allows for each new work to exhibit a freshness and newness with some subjects being portrayed in varying styles and medium engendering the viewer to focus on different aspects of the subject. Many pieces are produced with the subject against a stark untouched background of paper allowing the structure and form, light and shadow, pattern and texture to become the focus of the piece and the subject.

The immense time invested into each piece reflect Craig's formal scientific background and engender works that are high in detailed accuracy.

Craig has been formerly employed as a scientific illustrator in an Australian regional museum where he was producing pieces for scientific research, scientific journals, scientific papers, reconstructions, palaeontological displays, general exhibitions, interpretive illustration and general signage.

Works are currently held in private collections around Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States. Europe and New Zealand.

Commissions

Craig's studio is in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia