Calliope Ross

The main subject for my work is the rock dove, commonly known as the pigeon. a bird often seen as a nuisance within our urban landscapes. By using watercolor, fine-point pen, graphite, and India ink, I want to acknowledge the pigeon’s unique personality, impressive navigation skills, and incredible ability to thrive in harsh city environments. Pigeons, despite being common, play a significant yet overlooked role in our ecosystem because they handle much of the litter and leftover food on streets and social places, keeping places cleaner than usually seen. My goal is to highlight their importance through a variety of detailed illustrations, abstract depictions, and anatomical studies. 

I juxtapose pigeons with microscopic studies and histology to encourage viewers to think over the small subjects they encounter daily but rarely observe on a closer level. This contrast between the familiar and the unseen brings a new light to these everyday birds, alluding to a deeper look into their world. By exploring the anatomy, symbolism, and behavior of pigeons, I challenge the perception of these birds as “common” and work to better show off their complexity and beauty which I find so fascinating. By using abstract components and detailed techniques, I aim to perfectly mirror exactly how their place in the world is reflected. Through a contrast of artistic exploration, I hope to inspire others to appreciate all of the extraordinary qualities of pigeons and reconsider their place in the world because they don’t deserve to be disregarded.