How a scientist hopes her art will help save birds

Sara Cox is a scientist who has turned into an artist, and she is passionate about birds. She creates stunning sculptures of birds using wire. One day, while on a walk, she spotted a lapwing, a bird that is a symbol of the North Pennines. Sara was thrilled to see it and exclaimed, 'They are brilliant! ' as she watched the bird pecking at the grass. The lapwing's feathers reminded her of a crown, much like the one worn by the Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Sara lives in a charming cottage in Teesdale, County Durham, where she has resided with her family for over two decades. Although the sun was shining, the air was quite chilly. During her walk, she discovered a speckled brown feather and decided to keep it for later examination. Sara often takes these walks to gather inspiration for her artwork. Her specialty lies in crafting wire birds, intricate sculptures that are life-sized and made from metal strands. She has created various birds, including kingfishers, ravens, wrens, and curlews, with some of her pieces displayed along a nature trail at the Durham Wildlife Trust's reserve at Low Barns near Bishop Auckland. The lapwing, which breeds in the fields of Teesdale, is on the UK red list for conservation, indicating that it is at risk. Sara emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about certain birds, stating, 'A lot of the birds I've made have been endangered or are on the red list. ' She is acutely aware that the population of birds in her area is declining due to environmental factors. Her goal is to evoke emotions and interest in people when they see her sculptures, ultimately benefiting the environment. Sara is not only an artist but also a knowledgeable scientist. She holds degrees in various scientific fields, including zoology, and has studied sparrows for her dissertation. She is also a qualified teacher. Sara's love for art was nurtured by her family, particularly her grandparents and her parents, who were skilled in creating things. 'Everybody can make, everybody is creative,' she believes. Back at her cottage in Mickleton, Sara works with wire, twisting and shaping it as she discusses its flexibility. 'If it's not the right shape, you can bend it back again,' she explains. She finds joy in using her imagination and solving problems through her art. Sara believes that science and art complement each other perfectly. In her school days, she was encouraged to pursue science over art, which she now sees as a mistake. Her later explorations into artistic endeavors, such as felt-making and wire modeling, are her way of rebelling against that separation. Sara points out that both scientists and artists observe the world, but while scientists measure, artists interpret. She incorporates scientific principles into her sculptures, whether it's understanding the anatomy of birds or applying physics to create sturdy structures. 'I'm bringing science into my sculptures all the time,' she says. Each of her sculptures is the result of extensive research and experimentation. She begins with the feet and works her way up, taking about six weeks to finish a model. Sara has created two ravens, named Huginn and Muninn, after the companions of the Norse god Odin. One of her ravens was recently showcased at a major exhibition in London, and Sara described the experience as 'an absolute treat. ' She expressed her excitement about seeing her art displayed beautifully and noted that her raven was observing the crowd. 'I want people to think about birds, so it's no good if they're sitting here with me,' she said. Sara is committed to continuing her work, as there are countless birds left to create and share with the world.