The artwork titled “Sacred Bird” is a funeral of symbolic rituals to acknowledge the deaths and killings of black men and boys by police forces. The film title “To Kill A Mockingbird” and the musician Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker are an inspiration and motivation in the work. The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence. Many people think it’s sinful if the bird is killed or harmed in anyway. The mockingbird bird is resilient and nonstop with singing chants of mocking sounds. This year, 2020, Charlie Parker is 100 years old. He was nicknamed free as a “Bird” and “Yardbird” for a reckless driving incident. The namesake of “Birdland”, a jazz club since 1949, was named after the musician. The song “Now is the Time”, by Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker, is a brilliant sermon for current day events as well as the eulogy for artwork “Sacred Bird” created with a heartfelt salute.
Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo
United States