In the Audubon Tradition: Birds of a Feather
Cincinnati, OH
On September 13 the Cincinnati Museum Center will open In the Audubon Tradition: Birds of a Feather, an exhibition that will feature nearly 300 works from 81 of North America’s top wildlife artists.
Artists in the show include Robert Bateman,
Guy Coheleach, James Gurney, Walter Matia, Chris Maynard, Paul Rhymer, John and Suzie Seerey-lester, Kent Ullberg and many others.
John Banovich will be showing Roller Derby, which shows one of his favorite species of bird. “I truly believe that the continental bird of Africa should be the lilac-breasted roller. It epitomizes all the majesty of color found throughout this rich and abundant continent. Its acrobatic flight, raucous call and curious attitude have endeared it to both locals and visitors of sub-saharan Africa,” he says of his
subject. “The colors of this extraordinary bird are beautifully complimentary and so rich that its plumage seems to have been colored by Matisse.”
Wyoming wildlife painter Greg Beecham will be showing the bear image Momma’s Got Twins. “Momma griz will sacrifice everything for her young—even her life,” he says. “These twins have survived to their third spring, almost time for them to be on their own. Momma has done well.”
Prominent bird painter James Morgan will be showing High Desert Wind, a 40-by-30inch work showing a strong subject in front of a powerful background. “From her vantage point on a volcanic rock formation, a dignified golden eagle surveys her high desert hunting grounds in search of an unaware jackrabbit or sage grouse,” he says. “The sharp-eyed hunter of the Western skies, which I consider one of the most elegant of birds, and the high desert landscape with its endless vistas and lichencovered rock outcroppings are some of my favorite subjects.”
Sculptor Mick Doellinger will be offering two bronzes: Out of Nowhere, a deer subject, and Defiant, a bison piece. “Being outdoors watching these iconic animals’ rituals during the rut always fascinates me; experiencing their power, guttural sounds and dust baths motivated the creation of this piece,” he says of the bison piece. “Defiant portrays a bison bull full of vigor, pawing at the ground and tossing dirt…maneuvering, and getting ready to clash with another bull that’s entered his space.”
In addition to contemporary wildlife artwork, all of which will be for sale, the museum will honor the life and career of naturalist and ornithologist John James Audubon, the institution’s first employee. In 1819, Audubon, severely in debt and in the middle of bankruptcy, accepted a position at the institution, where he spent several important years that would lead to his entire career in ornithology, as well as his famous book, The Birds of America. Several key Audubon works will be on view, including artifacts such as a daguerreotype portrait thought to be the only remaining photograph of the artist, the lawsuit letter that sunk Audubon into bankruptcy and a rare double-elephant folio edition of The Birds of America.