Swooping Low

Irene Manion

Size: 48cm x 56cm x .7cm

Machine and hand embroidery using long-stitch technique
Appliqued onto a digitally transfer-printed background

This study of a magpie in flight, places the bird in a man-made environment with the floor space covered with patterned tiles. Each tile contains a symmetrical stylised image of four magpies and reflects on a European tradition of weaving and embroidery of stylised birds and animals. The native bird has adapted very comfortably to an urbanised environment where nearly every back yard has its own pair who visit daily, warble high in the trees and bring their youngsters along to entertain us.