I’ve been thinking about Boston artist Cathy Moynihan’s ceramic bird sculptures ever since Marc Gurton at 13 Forest Gallery in Arlington just outside Boston, told me about her last May. (I was pulling together bird decor, and even though he doesn’t represent her, he kindly sent me a link to Moynihan’s “Aviary” collection.)
I promptly contacted Moynihan, and she invited me to a ceramics show at Harvard, but I was unable to attend. Fast forward seven months, five days before Christmas when I email her in a panic, pleading for one of her ceramic bird sculptures in turquoise to give to my mother-in-law. Luckily, I’m meeting Moynihan today to make the purchase.
Moynihan describes her ceramic bird sculptures as focusing on life — tender, whole, and new. The minimalist birds are soothing and serene, with graceful silhouettes, clean lines, composed posture, and pleasing proportions. Each takes Moynihan hours to make (even the smallest ones), since she hand builds each one using the coil method, then carefully examines each bird, scraping and shaving off the irregularities on the surface until the form is flawless.
Cathy Moynihan studied sculpture at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee and earned Art Education Certification from Massachusetts College of Art.
Blue Bird
Parent with Egg
Expecting
White Nest with Turquoise Egg
Flock
