2004.6 - OSTRICH

This was an odd piece to make since from the beginning, I was planning a stand that would hold it up. The stand has four dowels that fit into four holes in the piece. Any animal that can balance on two legs has a truly a remarkable control system. The legs on this piece are completely separate, and fit into sockets on the body. Real ostriches are built to run. What I really like on this piece is the texture of the feathers on the body and wings. I smeared on each one individually with my thumb. It’s very sharp to touch. The black color coupled with the forbidding texture has always made me think of tar. The piece really can’t be dusted, and at some point, I’ll probably have to hose it off.