You always hurt the one you love, that sad old song says. As far as noted local painter and art gallery maven Anne John is concerned, nobody hurt the ones he loved quite like John James Audubon.
Anne John is a contemporary bird lover whose subjects frequently fly around her surreal, dreamy scenes. John James Audubon was a historic bird lover whose name became synonymous not just with avian worship but with rescuing injured birds and preserving their endangered habitats. Today’s National Audubon Society is dedicated to environmental conservation and the sheer joy of bird-watching.
Nothing could be more ironic, John said. “I’ve always been very taken with the fact that the Audubon Society, which I have great respect for, would name itself after a man who prolifically killed what he obviously loved.”
Audubon, who died in 1851, was a scientist and artist whose meticulous drawings and paintings became the famously lush and beloved “The Birds of America,” still considered one of the greatest bird books ever published. But his lovingly rendered subjects were creatures he killed. Audubon the bird lover was also a taxidermist.
If You Go
What: “Escape from Audubon” art exhibit.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; through May 31.
Where: Art at the Cave, 108 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.
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What: “Family Corvidae” art exhibit.
When: Noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; evening and Saturday access through Niche Wine Bar next door; through May 26
Where: Angst Gallery, 1015 Main St., Vancouver.
“He was a very typical artist, obsessed with his work like most of us are,” John said. “But artistically speaking, you look at his works — they’re all obviously done from dead birds. They’re very stiff, they’re posed in ways that aren’t natural.
“He was a very interesting man. He was a remarkable man,” John said. “But my spirit is appalled.”
All of which is why John decided to stage a bird-focused art exhibit at her Evergreen Boulevard gallery, Art at the Cave, and title it “Escape from Audubon.” She was quick to add, during an interview with The Columbian, that she has nothing but reverence for the Audubon organization and the bird lovers who flock to it. The title of this show isn’t protest, it’s an artistic poke in the ribs with an inconveniently awful fact.
“As artists, we just can’t help ourselves sometimes,” John said. “I suspect there will be humor involved.”
Local artists with works in this show are William Park, Michael Smith, Cynthia Heise, Kathi Rick (assisted by Tyler Warren, Nathan Wilson and Rob Welch), Zoe Henderson, Bill Leigh and John herself.
Crow coincidence
Just around the corner from the Cave, the Angst Gallery on Main Street is also featuring birds this month. “Family Covidae” is its community art exhibit theme for May. It’s a celebration of what’s generally called the crow family — nutcrackers, jackdaws, ravens, crows, jays, magpies, ground jays and treepies. These are the most intelligent and social of bird species, and also the most mischievous and aggressive.
Angst’s avian show theme arose coincidentally, John said, but it’s got her thinking. Maybe next May, she suggested, all the galleries in downtown Vancouver can collaborate on one massive, unified-themed, bird-art festival.
