Psittaciformes Trying to Change
the World
A project by Ruth Ewan
5 May - 4 June 2006
Ruth Ewan will present work based on the possibilities of teaching words
and phrases to Psittaciformes, an order of birds including parrots, amazons,
cockatoos and parakeets, which are capable of mimicking the human voice.
A large aviary will be constructed in the gallery from which a selection
of birds will be encouraged to repeat slogans and chants from field recordings
made during the protests surrounding the G8 summit in Gleneagles in July
2005.
Psittaciformes Trying to Change the World offers up a vision of social reform, through the beak of a mimic. Ewan's work playfully explores an interest in political idealism and questions ways in which these ideals exist under capitalism. The exhibition at Studio Voltaire will also include newly commissioned work in the form of a series of drawings made by children, derived from images found in the archives of The Socialist Party's headquarters in Clapham High Street. Often acting as modest forms of propaganda, Ewan's projects adopt and manipulate techniques of influence and persuasion in an incongruous attempt to inspire social change. Previous projects include A Colouring Book of People Trying to Stop the War and A Jukebox of People Trying to Change the World, a collection of over 600 leftwing songs.
The Scottish born artist graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2002 and was subsequently selected for Bloomberg New Contemporaries (2002). Recent projects include solo exhibitions at The Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh (2005) and Collective Gallery, Edinburgh (2002). Ewan has been selected for the forthcoming East International 2006, Norwich. Psittaciformes Trying to Change the World will be the artist's first solo exhibition outside of Scotland.
Supported by Arts Council England, London
With special thanks to Steve Nichols and The National Parrot Sanctuary