Gallery | Hilary Pfeifer

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Hilary Pfeifer

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gallery and installation works

mixed media nest installation

materials include: steel bristles from street sweepers, glass eyes, found natural branches, lichens, grasses, pine cones, fur and feathers, fabric scraps and trim, wool, thread, wire, twine, artificial plant parts, beads, craft materials, fly tying materials, marine rope and other detritus found on the Long Beach Peninsula during a spring 2024 artist residency at the Sou'Wester in Sea View, WA, and plant parts I made in my Portland, OR studio.

Statement:
Most birds prefer to collect natural materials found close to their nest site, but, as a mixed-media artist myself, I find it interesting that some species commonly incorporate less obvious things like feathers, string, or paper. Recently, it has been recorded that there is an uptick in spotting human detritus, including windshield wipers, all manner of plastics and even anti-bird spikes being chosen for nest materials.

The basic structure of each of my nests are metal bristles from street sweepers that I have been collecting for over a quarter century on my walks. As the steel of these industrial brushes fatigues, they often break off and you find them in the gutters, especially when walking in more urban areas.

As I began working on this project, it started reminding me of a craft activity that was popular when I was growing up in the 1970's: making “God's Eyes” with popsicle sticks and yarn. The God's Eye or Ojos de Dios are commonly found in Central and South America, as well as the southwestern United States and are considered to be a spiritual eye that has the power to see and understand things past, present and future. For this reason, I decided to put a glass eye in the center of each of my nests. The eye is watching you, reminding you to do your part to control waste and restore safe habitats for all living creatures.

© 2026 Hilary Pfeifer

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