Ceidyn Berry

Figures in Flight is a series that represents some of the shorebirds in Scotland, celebrating biodiversity while considering the difficult position many of these birds are in.

Data from Montrose Basin, a site of national and international importance for many bird species, has been used to create graphs of population for 10 different species, from the Herring Gull to the Ruff. The graphs are displayed along with strips of card, collaged in the colours of the bird species and lasercut with a representation of its unique call.

7 of these paper sculptures hang from the ceiling, while the remaining 3 - representing the birds with the highest populations - are mounted on the wall. Each piece is positioned at a height to correspond to its UK conservation status;  the Mute Swan soars 2 metres in the air, while the Ruff - with only around 13 females in the UK - skims a few inches from the ground.
As the viewer walks around the installation, the pieces sway precariously from the fishing line they are suspended with. Consider, as you take in nature, how you are a part of it, and how each of our actions affect the world around us.