Dolores Purdy
Waterbird (14)
Colored pencils on Antique “Indian Territory” ledger paper, curly maple frame inlaid with turquoise colored stones, Image: 13”h x 15.5”w, Frame: 18.5”h x 22.75”w, Item No. 24206,
In Waterbird (14), Dolores Purdy transforms antique “Indian Territory” ledger paper with a brilliantly colored, outstretched bird rendered in vivid reds, turquoise, violet, orange, and green. Its symmetrical form and intricate patterning create a commanding presence, while the historic ledger markings remain visible beneath the composition, connecting the contemporary image to the layered history of the page.
Purdy invites viewers to interpret the figure in multiple ways: as a Waterbird, a phoenix, or a peyote bird. Each interpretation carries associations with renewal, resurrection, and the endurance of the spirit.
