"A Conspiracy of Unkindness"

​

During the research process of this drawing, I learned a lot about ravens. These large birds are extremely playful and love rolling around in fresh snow. A group of ravens is known as an 'unkindness' or 'conspiracy'.

​

After learning about this intelligent bird who mates for life and lives in a fixed territory, these two words didn't seem to fit and I wanted to create a piece that is a bit of a play on words. Ravens have a very long history (dating back to Greek mythology and Pacific North West Indigenous culture) as being a trickster as well as one of the creators and protectors. I wanted to explore this contrast...this two faced approach. Through history and mythology, ravens have gotten a bad name (picture Alfred Hitchcock with his famous raven to represent his murderous themes), but is this an accurate representation of these birds? Perhaps we have created a conspiracy of unkindness towards ravens by strictly seeing them as representations of death and evil. 

​

The lower raven on the stalk is attempting to engage the raven on the ground, but the top raven is on his own, balancing on a stalk that may or may not hold his weight. Perhaps he will be the first to take flight and find new territory and new meaning. 

 

19"x23.5"

Graphite pencil, 2018

​

Original $800.00

8"x10" signed matted inkjet print $30.00

Blank greeting card $5.00

Flat magnet $2.00