These pieces were inspired by a territorial battle between a kereru and a tui in the garden outside my studio. With fruit ripening on the cherimoya and loquat trees, the local birds were spending a lot of time here. The kereru was a regular visitor, and wasn’t easily shifted from her favourite spot guarding the fruit, but this tui issued a challenge, ruffling his feathers, intimidating the kereru with thrusts of his head, and dive bombing her until she reluctantly gave up her claim.
I’ve immortalised the victorious tui in sterling silver as either a pendant on a sterling silver chain or brooch. Meanwhile, as soon as he was gone, the kereru was back on her perch.
Silvereye Studio 