ARTIST STATEMENT

Pigeons are everywhere. Truthfully, if you live in a major city, you cannot escape them. You notice the presence of them, and you also start to notice human interactions with them. The bird spikes above businesses, the traps and poison, the traces of feather behind a car wheel. As large as a part they play in a city, humans play the same size role. Pigeons did not just start existing in cities out of nowhere, it is human intervention that brought them here, and yet, it is the pigeons that are treated poorly. We bred them, abandoned them, and yet continued to breed them to acquire certain traits we deemed pleasing.

Olivia King aims to explore this relationship between humans and pigeons, specifically in the 21^st century western society, through her use of copper etching and oil painting. She depicts different aspects of the identity of the pigeon, from the individuality of each pigeon to their filthy reputation. Her works are meant to challenge the viewers perception of the pigeon, how they themselves interact with the pigeons around them.

BIOGRAPHY

Olivia King’s practice revolves around the relationship between humans and birds, and how their perceptions and interventions of nature have shaped how 21stcentury society treats different aspects of nature. King works across both digital and traditional mediums, often combining the techniques to add depth to her works in both theory and technique. Multiple of King’s works are held in private collections across Australia and the UK, and she has participated in several group shows across Sydney between 2023-2025. Having studied and completed a Cert IV and diploma in graphic design at TAFE, and recently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the National Art School, King uses both experiences in the different

field to deepen her understanding of her practice.

EXHIBITION Synopsis

Pigeons are everywhere, and really, you can’t escape them if you live in a major city. You walk past them on the street, dead or alive, and you don’t bat an eye. This is what King explores in her works; our relationships with the feral rock pigeon, varying from the unappreciated beauty and our abandonment of them, to our involvement in their genetic coding for our entertainment. Consisting of copper etchings and oil paintings, King aims to challenge the viewer on their own relationship with the pigeons around them through these works.