For their exhibition Captive Companions artists Anne Smerdon and Corinne Lewis brought together over 30 highly trained, free-flight birds of different species. The birds you seen in their exhibition were able to fly around the house, nibble on strawberries, rest on pumpkins, and nestle up to their human friends. This approach enabled Anne and Corrine to document the different personalities and plumages of these beautiful birds.

You can watch their video here: https://vimeo.com/375574124

Taking inspiration from Captive Companions, and using the exercises provided, let your imagination roam as free as these intelligent, joyous and curious creatures!

ARTPLAY: EXPLORE THE WORLD OF BIRDS

Exercise 1 Cardboard Bird Examples

ARTPLAY: THE WORLD OF BIRDS

2

Using the templates provided or creating your own, draw your favourite bird, or the bird you would love to be. Using whatever materials you have at home, draw two parts, the body and head, and then the wings.

Cardboard is a great recycled material. It is easy to cut (ask an adult for help), you can use paint, textas or collage to decorate your bird. You can change your design as you go to suit you. You can hang your creation from a ribbon, or you might find your bird likes to fly around your room instead!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARDBOARD COMPANION

1. Draw or trace your bird (see templates on following pages). Ask an adult to help you cut out Part A (head and body) and Part B (wings)

2. Decorate your bird and let it dry

3. Make a cut in the middle of Part B as shown in the templates.

4. Insert Part A into Part B from below (for hanging) or from above (if holding). You are ready to hang or fly your bird!

EXERCISE 1: CARDBOARD COMPANIONS

3

Part A Parrot

Part A Cockatoo

TEMPLATES: CARDBOARD COMPANIONS

4

Part B

Print out Parts A and B from this template, choosing either a parrot or cockatoo.

Cut out your paper templates and draw around them onto cardboard following the steps on page 3.

Handy hint: the templates on page 4 show both options for a hand held bird or a ribbon held bird. The dotted lines show where you will need to cut once you have decided - or keep both options!

You can adjust your template as you go. For example make a small cut on part B first and try slotting Part A into it, you can always cut it again until it fits.

this length may vary

5

Cardboard Companion

EXAMPLE: INSERTING PART A FROM ABOVE FOR HAND HELD BIRD

6

Cardboard Companion

EXAMPLE: INSERTING PART A FROM BELOW FOR RIBBON HELD BIRD

7

Cardboard Companion example: Magpie showing lower handle

EXAMPLE: HAND HELD BIRD

8

Cardboard Companion example: Parrot showing upper ribbon handle

EXAMPLE: BIRD WITH RIBBON HOLD

9

MAKING YOUR OWN TEMPLATE

10

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARDBOARD COMPANION

Draw your own version of your favourite bird, cut it out and this can become your template to use again and again by tracing around your orginal drawing.

Try different ways to decorate your bird and remember to leave a little bit of cardboard above or below the body of your bird as this will fit into the cut you make with your wings.

11

Exercise 2 Free Flight Birds: collage

Using whatever materials you have to hand, choose a room in your house, and create a backdrop for your birds. You can use pencils, textas, or cut up images from old magazines (but remember to ask an adult before you cut).

Once you have your room, now you can let your birds fly!

EXERCISE 2: FREE FLIGHT BIRDS IN YOUR HOME

12

Fly some swallows above your bed, perch a parrot on your porch or an owl on your table. Sit a kookaburra on your fridge, or a currawong on your couch.

Are your birds cheeky or shy? Are they hungry or are they looking for a human friend?

13