Birds of a Feather

Birds carry symbolic meanings across cultures and time periods, communicating shifts in season, environment, and life. Within a diverse range of imagery, birds bring many opportunities for interpretation and connection.

Birds of a Feather takes inspiration from the phrase “birds of a feather flock together” to connect SCMA visitors to the museum’s collection through bird-related artwork. The avian affinity to form cooperative relationships and communal ties lies at the heart of this installation.

One hundred fifteen people came together to vote online and in person during the Birds of a Feather Pop-Up at SCMA’s September 2026 Second Friday event. The public voted on bird-related artworks from a selection spanning different cultures, time periods, and mediums. The artworks that received the most votes now make up this installation. The number of votes for each artwork is indicated at the end of its label.

This eclectic assemblage of birds has formed its own flock here on the walls of SCMA, mirroring the way people came together to choose them.

This project was led by SCMA’s post-baccalaureate team: Lucy Montgomery, Bodnar Post-Baccalaureate Curatorial Assistant; Grace Sinclair, Post-Baccalaureate Marketing & Communications Assistant; and Lilly Watson, Sacerdote Post-Baccalaureate Assistant Museum Educator. The post-baccalaureate program at SMCA is a two–year limited term position for emerging museum professionals to gain experience working in the field.

Image credit: Parr. Geese, Men, and Animals. Made in Nanavut; Kinngait (Cape Dorset), 1963. Stencil on light weight cream-colored paper. All rights reserved. Copyrights of the works of art reproduced herein are the properties of the artists. Reproductions by special arrangement with the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative Ltd., agents for the artists who own the copyright of the works of art.