Home / Environment / Morris & Macfarlane: Painting and Poetry for Endangered Birds
Morris & Macfarlane: Painting and Poetry for Endangered Birds
2 May
Summary
- New book highlights 49 endangered British bird species.
- It features paintings by Jackie Morris and words by Robert Macfarlane.
- The book aims to bring vanishing birds back into focus.
The artist Jackie Morris and writer Robert Macfarlane have released "The Book of Birds," a new collaboration focusing on the plight of endangered avian species in Britain. This book highlights 49 birds listed on the British red or amber list, aiming to draw attention to their declining populations and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Morris's paintings and Macfarlane's writings explore the spirit and poetry of birds ranging from the avocet to the yellowhammer. The duo's previous work, "The Lost Words," achieved significant cultural impact by celebrating words removed from a children's dictionary, inspiring widespread donations to schools and hospices.
"The Book of Birds" is designed as a departure from traditional field guides, encouraging readers to "identify with" birds rather than just identify them. Macfarlane noted a severe decline in bird populations globally, emphasizing the book's role in bringing these vanishing creatures back into focus and splendor.
The creation of "The Book of Birds" took seven years and has already led to an exhibition at the Bodleian Library. This exhibition features works by historical and contemporary artists and photographers, including John James Audubon and Emma Turner, alongside Percy Bysshe Shelley's annotations.
