© Chuck Joseph
This work is a further
development of the idea that there is a “showdown” for our
native species under threat from predators and pollution.
This
group of seven gunslinger birds uses the last ditch defence of a small
village in the sixties movie “The Magnificent Seven”,
starring Yul Brynner, to emphasise their plight. The figures are
constucted of thrown paper clay bodies with additions, in the manner
of the Martin Brothers "Wally Birds". Here I have played on their
tobacco bird jar forms, (ironic for the harm done to indigenous
peoples) and constructed modern day Waka
Huia (treasure containers) to store keepsakes, feathers, and souvenirs
of the disappearing fauna. Many small details add to
their stories; cards, flowers patterns and bones etc.
Does the
Tui led group win their battle? Only we can truly decide this...but
note that two of the group are already extinct.
CJ 2010
© Chuck Josephporcelain to Len Castle, every piece describes a time, a place and a person. In spite of its resources Aotearoa, to my frustration, had no ceramic record until the industrial
age, but this I also find exciting. We are, even now, inventing and laying down a record in a truly pioneering way. In my "Where the Birds came from" I incorporate my
story with a prehistory. These thrown eathenware forms represent the water gourds of Tama Manupuna, (the Birdman). Legend tells us that Tama was given the task of
bringing water on the Great Migration to Aotearoa. There was no room on the voyage for the many birds of this homeland and so he etched their images onto the gourds
used for storing water. When he reached Aotearoa he broke the gourds and released the birds.
These forms bring together the ongoing themes in my recent work; conservation of bird species in my "Without the Birds, Where is the Beauty?" series, the incised
decoration of scrimshaw and the importance of integrating graphic surface decoration into the ceramic form. Looking across the group I see stylised natural forms and
a flock of birds.
"Where the Birds came from" © Chuck Joseph Thrown earthenware forms, glaze painted and fired to Cone 4 (approx 320mm h.)
Gonna be a showdown © Chuck Joseph
oil on board (600x600mm)
A tear was shed
my grandma said
when the last Huia died.
He died alone in bed.
His heart was broke
His race was run,
He lost his mate
to the Hunter's gun.
No more feathers
for the chief's head,
the feather makers
are now all dead. C Joseph 2009
Oil paintings and painted ceramic from "Without the Birds, Where is the Beauty?" series by Chuck Joseph
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