Class Dalkey • group • Louth

Group Category   •  2026
In our piece for ‘This is Nature’ we wanted to celebrate the importance of Nature in our ever-changing and fast-paced world. Birds help Mother Nature stay balanced and beautiful. They are an important part of nature . They help plants grow and make our world colourful and alive .By caring for birds, we care for the art we live on and protect it for future generations. Our entry is a three-dimensional piece involving the upper body and head of mother nature. This head extends into branches which support a large hand-built nest holding straw, large eggs and some baby birds. This figure is surrounded by birds of different sizes, shapes, postures and patterns. Some birds rest on the branches, some are in full flight, one sings into mother nature’s ear, others carry twig sand rags in their beaks maintaining the upkeep of their nest while others carry food to feed themselves or their young. The piece was made using a variety of materials and a variety of processes. We learned a lot about joining, weaving, attaching, balancing, modelling. We used organic materials including moss, branches, twigs, tree bark wooden off cuts and ivy. We used a mannequin, manmade moss, chicken wire, printed tissue paper, collage papers, bubble wrap, paint, packaging cardboard, make it clay ( air drying modelling clay ) and sequins. For gluing and attaching we used PVA glue, a hot glue gun, cable ties , wire, strong Velcro and elastic . Artists we were inspired by include Alice Maher, Louise Bourgeois ,Dorothy Cross and Andy Goldsworthy. We will display the piece accompanied by bird song audio to add another dimension to it.