A TROPICAL FLOCK OF AVIAN AVATARS

This nature-inspired exhibition features ten monumental and environmentally friendly bird sculptures created from bamboo and other mixed media. Each unique Avian Avatar in the Tropical Flock was created specifically for McKee and is made from natural materials, (bamboo and wood, plus a variety of recycled, repurposed, and reused materials that evoke the feeling of feathers. These site-specific sculptures are interactive and accessible. Their monumental scale and site specificity invite visitors to experience the sculptures by walking through them, resting in them, or running playfully through them. The sculptures engage viewers with their impressive scale, unique fabrication techniques and compelling visual appeal.

This exhibition is the perfect complement to the Garden's lush tropical landscape and will blend beautifully with the wide variety of bamboo plants throughout the Garden. The historic gardens at McKee include a bamboo glade from the 1930s on the Main Jungle Trail. Along the Bamboo Trail, there are numerous recently planted varieties of bamboo including Guadua bamboo from South America. This timber grade bamboo was used to build the Bamboo Pavilion at McKee, the first hurricane engineered bamboo structure in the United States.

About the Artists

The Myth Makers: Donna Dodson & Andy Moerlein are a two-artist team who make site-specific monumental works of art. The collaboration between Andy Moerlein and Donna Dodson is born from a mutual love of the wild. Moerlein takes inspiration from events in the natural world that leave visual marks which strike a narrative chord in the artist. Dodson takes inspiration from the mysterious nature of animals that spark her imagination. Storytelling and community are important aspects of their design process. Their projects frequently incorporate workshops, public talks, or onsite building with volunteers. Together this dynamic duo has compiled more than 50 projects internationally and have received multiple national awards and recognitions.