Explore Edan Azzopardi’s ornithological study of the beloved winged creatures he observes and admires on his daily outings through his artistic aviary of paintings and prints that take flight in the studio:
“Often I’ll be out walking and see a bird that will inspire me for that day’s painting. Returning home, I’ll look that bird up and, starting with some pencil sketches, begin deconstructing the bird into shapes and colours.”
Edan Azzopardi is a Melbourne-based painter whose love of native birds has led to an ongoing engagement with the shapes and colours that give his feathered friends their extraverted character. Azzopardi’s practice carefully distills the features of his subjects, filtering them through his meticulously crafted process of deep research and colour development – working, always, to strike that delicate balance between the true anatomy of each bird and the playful style that captures the imagination of his viewers.
Edan Azzopardi, Australian Pelican, acrylic on 300gsm Fabriano paper, 50 × 38cm. Courtesy the artist
Working primarily in acrylic on paper, Azzopardi’s paintings are at once graphic and reminiscent of zoological illustration. With his subjects surrounded only by the paper itself, Azzopardi allows those essential features of the bird to float on the page without the distraction of their surrounds, utilising the vibrant and stable nature of the acrylic to enhance them, free from painterly texture.
“I often refer to John Gould’s scientific illustrations. He was an ornithologist and considered the ‘father of bird study’ in Australia. His research was illustrated by his wife, Elizabeth Gould, as well as well-known artists of the time.”
Edan Azzopardi in the studio, work in progress. Courtesy the artist
As a natural progression from his paintings, Azzopardi has begun screenprinting his designs with a print studio in Brunswick, allowing him to experiment with subtle transparencies and glitter effects, while remaining true to the colour of each bird.
Recently Azzopardi’s time in the studio has been dedicated to developing new paintings and screenprints for his February solo show at Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne. This work has been punctuated with experiments featuring birds in varying stages of flight. “Similarly, I’m experimenting with presenting male and female specimens together, reminiscent of ornithological illustrations. This will offer some exciting developments in my practice that I look forward to sharing.”
Edan Azzopardi signing Scarlet Robin, silkscreen print on deckle edge Dutch paper, edition of 100, 76 × 46cm. Courtesy the artist
Since 2019, Azzopardi has been committed to donating a percentage of his sales to Bush Heritage and Birdlife Australia. “Much of our bushland has been terribly degraded over the last few decades, and it is vital work they do in ensuring we, as well as future generations, get to see and enjoy it. Donating a percentage of the income from my art practice is really the least I can do.”
Edan Azzopardi is represented by Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne.
brunswickstreetgallery.com.au
@brunswickstreetgallery
@edan.la
