This artwork, crafted with linocut printing and brought to life with Polychromos coloured pencils, is a joint effort between my wife, Nancy Zhou, and myself.
From the first day we moved into our home, we were greeted by two magpies. Initially, there was a mutual cautiousness, stemming perhaps from our awareness of their size – significantly larger than Chinese magpies – and the stories of their protective swooping. However, understanding their instincts to safeguard their young made it entirely relatable. Over time, a friendship blossomed; these two magpies, whom we've affectionately named McDonald and Maggie, visit us daily in search of a treat, be it bread or cheese. McDonald, the more audacious of the pair, has ventured into our home on a couple of occasions, perching on the chair with an air of relaxation, as if to say, "No one answered, so I've helped myself in."
The artwork is marked with a red seal on the front, our studio's stamp that nods to traditional Chinese artwork practices and marks the authenticity of this handcrafted piece. It is signed by us on the back.
The artwork is mounted in a minimalist frame, as shown in the picture.