By applying various techniques spanning the disciplines of art, design and craft American artist Chris Maynard carefully sculpts mini dioramas of the the flighted creatures. Maynard uses small eye surgery scissors, forceps, scalpels, and magnifiers to arrange the cutouts of feathers that have been used with permission from private aviaries and zoos. “Feathers are structural wonders, serving many functions. They also suggest important universal themes. Feathers are my medium. They are an ultimate achievement of nature and a pinnacle of wonder. After feathers perform their functions on birds, they are molted yearly but keep their beauty and complexity. I want to show feathers in a different light, off the bird. I enjoy highlighting aspects of a feather’s form, pattern or color. If I am successful, I hope to convey some intimate sense of the bird that grew the feathers… feathers are one of life’s perfect wonders; with this in mind, the three dimensional forms, colors, and shapes are preserved as they were on the birds they came from.”
