________________________________________________________

ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT JAMES ”SLIM” COOK 2003

Inspiration: The first time I entered the space I was immediately reminded of

Victorian era aviaries I had seen. They were like giant glass and steel bird cages

that you could go inside where the birds flew free around you.

The mural of the river suggested the addition of the fish. All the bird and fish are

species native to the local area.

Construction of Fin and Feather: Began January 2001. The support structure

is made from aluminum and stainless steel. The bird and fish forms are

constructed from heavy paper which is then encased in many coats of

polyurethane. The colors are then built up in layers by applying lacquers with an

airbrush.

" Fin and Feather "

16 ' X 16 ' x 8 '

Commissioned by the Riverhead Free Library

Riverhead, New York

Permanently Installed in the Library Atrium

Birds:

Baltimore Oriole

Bobwhite

Cardinal

Great horned owl

Kingfisher

Osprey

Pheasant

Wood duck

Fish:

Bluefish

Pumpkinseed sunfish

Scup

Silversides

Stickleback

Striped bass

Summer and Winter Flounder

Tautog (blackfish)

The specially commissioned artwork was made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts. In Suffolk County the Decentralization Program is administered by The Huntington Arts Council, Inc in partnership with the Suffolk Consortium of Arts Councils.

Special Thanks to: Kathy Kalanz- Director of Riverhead Free Library, Judy Jacunski,  Patricia Snyder of the East End Arts Council, Sara Bluestone of the Huntington Arts Council,  Bob Kent of New York Sea Grant- Cornell University Laboratory and James Clinton of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge