Paula McCartney’s Bird Watching series are exemplary, flawlessly composed photographs of a wide variety of perching birds. The diverse species are perfectly posed in a range of picturesque habitats across the United States, in settings that are pure wilderness. However, a closer inspection reveal... Read more
Paula McCartney’s Bird Watching series are exemplary, flawlessly composed photographs of a wide variety of perching birds. The diverse species are perfectly posed in a range of picturesque habitats across the United States, in settings that are pure wilderness. However, a closer inspection reveals stiff wire protrusions, over-dyed faux feathers and splashes of paint for eyes and beaks. In her amalgamation of natural settings with craft store songbirds, she has created a carefully enhanced landscape—a bird watcher’s dream.
The work explores how nature and fabricated elements can combine to create a scene that questions what is natural, and whether being so holds any intrinsic importance.
“In McCartney’s project there are no clear lines between fact and fiction. Like James Casebere or Oliver Boberg’s photographs of constructed models that at first glance appear to be real architectural spaces, she exploits the believability of photography and at the same time invites a mistrust of photographic evidence”.—Karen Irvine curator, Museum of Contemporary Photography.
“These are gorgeous images, and in that sense, they are worthy of their subjects. She’s not laughing at us by drawing us into her fantasy, rather, she’s playfully reminding us that all photographs indulge in certain fictions…she takes us on a journey that is educative and inspiring”.—Darius Himes, editor, Radius Books.
Paula McCartney gained an MFA in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute in California (2002). She has been the recipient of several awards including the MCP/McKnight Photography Fellowship (2007). McCartney’s photographs have been widely exhibited and her work is held in the collections of the Deutsche Bank, Walker Art Center, Museum of Modern Art and Yale University amongst others. Paula McCartney lives and works in Minneapolis.
Her first monograph, Bird Watching, is published by Princeton Architectural Press. Paula McCartney will discuss her work with Darius Himes (Founding Editor of Radius Books), together with a book signing, on Saturday 6th March, 1:00 pm—2:00 pm.
