Sonja Swanepoel's AVIAN Series: A reflection on humanity's connection to nature

The unveiling of Sonja Swanepoel’s AVIAN series at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden marked a significant milestone in the artist's career, celebrating her internationally acclaimed work amidst one of the world’s most iconic botanical gardens. 

This collection delves into the profound connection between birds and humanity, inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and reconsider their role in the natural world.

Swanepoel, a sculptor and environmental architect, is renowned for her thought-provoking creations that engage with the delicate balance of nature. 

The AVIAN series continues this exploration, encouraging introspection on humanity’s complicity in ecological fragility and the looming threat of extinction. 

Drawing on the ancient art form of iconographic sculpture, Swanepoel’s work aims to reconnect people with their place on the planet and their responsibility in preserving the natural world.

The inspiration behind AVIAN came when Swanepoel saw a photograph of pigeons on a busy Johannesburg street. 

"I was intrigued by their beautiful forms as they fell from the sky," she recalled. This image sparked a vision that would take the chaos of urban life and transition it into the tranquility of nature. 

"Kirstenbosch is one of the spaces I consider to be sacred. So, when Werner Voigt, the Garden Director, invited me to exhibit, I couldn’t have dreamt of a better partnership,"  Swanepoel said.

Birds have been vital symbols in human culture for centuries — acting as messengers, timekeepers, deities, and muses. 

In AVIAN, Swanepoel urges viewers to reflect on the diminishing connection between humans and birds, and the environmental consequences of modern life. 

Sculptures such as Avis fracti and Avis culpat incorporate smooth, shell-like textures and poignant imagery of birds gazing at their own reflections, underscoring the urgent need to address the fractured ecology that surrounds us.

"The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden already plays host to a wide variety of birds, with birdwatchers recording 40 different species on just one morning. Sonja Swanepoel’s AVIAN collection fits beautifully in this environment where birds thrive," Sarah Struys, Events and Tourism Manager at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden added.

Swanepoel’s work has earned her international acclaim, with pieces like Avis stratera, which was showcased at Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg and later featured in Jaguar’s Crown Collection in 2023. 

Additionally, her sculpture Avis fragilis has recently been added to the permanent collection of the South African Consulate in New York, further solidifying her position as a prominent global artist.

As visitors wander through the AVIAN exhibition at Kirstenbosch, they are invited into a thoughtful dialogue with nature.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus