Flying the Coop | Brandi Shabaga

Created during periods of lockdown, uncertainty, and stress, this body of work aims to bring colour, joy, and light to an otherwise dark period. Flying The Coop is an exhibit of avian-themed works filled with elements of graphic design and bold colour palettes for nature lovers alike. With multiple collections and mini-series part of the exhibit, a range of mediums are showcased, including acrylic, collage, graphic art, and watercolours.

Inspired by the World’s resolve to find moments of calm and stillness amongst the chaos of the early days of the pandemic, Flying the Coop is a collection that reflects the relationship so many rekindled with nature during this time. From active birdwatching to backyard retreats filled with songbird melodies, many of us can say that we were intimately aware and engaged with the lives of birds while we all “stayed home”. Whether they brought us entertainment, helped us find a peaceful moment, or made us a little envious with their ability to spread their wings and freely roam the skies while we were cooped up, birds (for many) played a role in reconnecting with nature; catalyzing a chain reaction to slow down, re-prioritize, and look inward.

Brandi Shabaga is a contemporary mixed media artist and earth scientist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her research has taken her across the globe – from the Canadian Arctic to the Gobi Desert – fueling her passion for adventure and supplying endless inspiration for her artwork. While working primarily in acrylic paint, plaster, and gel mediums, she also enjoys experimenting with her art and loves incorporating elements of mono-printing, collage, and photography.

With a love for nature sparked at a young age, Shabaga was inspired to pursue a career dedicated to studying, understanding, and doing her part to protect the amazing planet we all call home. Impacted by the onset of the pandemic in 2020, she decided to leave academia and shift her career focus to allow for a re-envisioned future surrounded by and working with, other artists. Shabaga now splits her time between working in the studio and working in scholarly publishing – where she channels her creativity into marketing and science communication.

While her art practice is ever-changing and evolving, Shabaga’s connection with nature is a constant in her work. Other inspirations include music, 60s counterculture perspectives, and the human condition as viewed through an anthropological lens.