In researching a new book I'm writing I came across a book I’d like to recommend for its approach to observation of the natural world, the beauty of the urban scape and exploring our surroundings with a renewed curiosity.
Kyo Maclear’s ‘Birds Art Life: a year of observation’ maps her year-long journey as she discovers bird watching in her city. She uses this lens to mediate on the relationship between art and life, and describes the beauty and awe found in her everyday sights.
The narrative unfolds as she intersects her family story and her upbringing as a child of immigrants, to connecting with a musician who mentors her and finds solace and joy in birding as he overcomes personal struggles.
As she travels through each season, learning about birds, she reflects on themes that point to a deeper understanding of the natural world. Her journey towards greater knowledge is highlighted by bird watching, but more as she explores her growing self-awareness of her creative process, and how she utilises her art practice to process life, its challenges and complexities.
The book was a gentle wander for me, and felt like I was walking through each month with her. I connected with her observational method to gain insight on art, creativity and slowing down to notice the beauty and awe of the every day.