Fly by Night

Approximately 36” tall with approx. 29” wingspan, depending on how she flies.

Materials: Interior is poseable wire armature, covered with black fabric “skin” stuffed with wool. Wings are multiple layers of fabrics. Materials include holographic Lycras, silk brocade, feathers and boas, and novelty yarns and trims. The face is yellow- and glitter-painted Paperclay™ with faceted glass bead “eyes.” Techniques include quilting and wrapping.

Backstory: Is “Fly by Night” a humanlike bird or a birdlike human? “She” began as a Roc (the immense bird that purportedly carried Sinbad to safety) but in that form “she” was much too ungainly—and not nearly human enough. Eventually “she” morphed into an upright figure with wings, claws, hands, and a human-like face, even if it is yellow…. I’ve been told “she” resembles a cross-dresser at a Gay Rights parade, but I’m not sure that does either of them justice. “She” (or is it?) is quite flighty, ready to fly off on the slightest pretext—but there’s something a little scarey about her stare….

Juried into the 2008 “Red Dominant” show at The Art Center at Fuller Lodge, Los Alamos, NM.