Wild Thing: Jody Graham

Bird sounds have resonated within me for as long as I can remember.

Their calls are my initial inspiration for wanting to draw them. I hear them regardless of what I'm doing; I could be cooking, working or socialising, and their sound is like a bell ringing, and suddenly I’m off to find where they’re hiding. To me, they encompass what it means to be truly wild.

Many years ago, I made a conscious decision to never have anything caught, caged, or kept in my life again. I interpret wildness as doing the opposite of what is expected. The uninhibited pursuit to navigate life with total freedom, unrestricted by conventional constraints or societal norms.

My life is enriched by unexpected encounters with wild creatures that drop in randomly when they want. I draw with gloves I invented while listening to recorded bird noises. I do this, so my drawing movements respond to the calls I am hearing. My aim is to capture the energy I feel, see and hear connected to Australian birdlife.

I think, as the drawing gloves have become more worn in, they have evolved into tools that mimic bird claws. Using these gloves test my drawing skills, and my ability to let go—helping me create unexpected marks. They also effectively silence my inner critic and judgmental thoughts because they offer a unique drawing experience that is more connected to marking marks, than whether I am making a good or bad drawing. They have played a key role in transitioning to a more dynamic and expressive drawing style.