Here and Now: Gold Coast Triennial 2024 Digital Gallery
Anne Smerdon
b.1986 Brisbane QLD, lives Murwillumbah NSW
Edie, Mulberry & Blueberry , 2024
oil on canvas
Image courtesy of the artist
Artist Statement
In this painting, I aim to challenge conventional perceptions of the humble chicken, transcending its role as a mere egg producer or culinary ingredient.
The inspiration came from two young girls, Isla and Edie, whose cherished pet chicken, Maple, was devastatingly taken by a neighbour's dog. The bond between bird and human and the deep emotional response from the loss prompted my journey to portray the chicken as more than a utilitarian creature but a sentient being capable of profound emotional connection.
About the Artist
Anne Smerdon is an Australian artist documenting the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, particularly birds. With an extensive knowledge of bird psychology and body language, she works alongside wildlife carers and bird owners to tell the individual stories of birds in care.
Anne works with live birds as the basis of her paintings. She has more than fifteen years of experience working with birds. She has two famous parrots herself with over 400,000 social media followers and has written two books for bird owners.
Anne has a number of awards to her name, most notably she won the prestigious Doyles Art Prize for Still life in 2021 and 2022, and has been selected as a finalist in the Brisbane Portrait Prize 2023 and the Wollumbin Art Award 2022 and 2024.
