PARSON BIRD

Bronze on bluestone plinth
Ed 4/7
plinth dimensions 19 x 100cm

Parson Bird is part of a series of works taking a wry look at the nicknames given to New Zealand birds by the early European settlers. The tuft of feathers at the tūī’s throat reminded settlers of the white collar of a minister or parson. Its raucous, sometimes pompous demeanour evoking an enthusiastic sermon. Here the tūī’ delivers his sermon from a giant bible on a precarious lectern.