In Focus Tour: Perched, reflecting on the creative process

This moving display shows 41 mould-blown glass birds with trimmed wings, made by Turkish artist, Felekşan Onar. They represent her artistic response to the millions of displaced Syrians who have fled their war-torn home for Turkey. The swallows’ form was inspired by Birds Without Wings, a historical novel by Louis de Bernières (2004). Set during the wars between Greece and Turkey in the early 20th century, it tells the story of families caught up in mass migrations as the Ottoman Empire broke up. This talk will reflect on Onar’s inspiration for creating this installation and on the creative processes she used to make the birds.