From 1827-1838 John James Audubon published Birds of America, which is generally considered to be among the finest examples of prints illustrating avian life in America. This exhibition Reframing Birds of America: Conversations on Audubon explores these historic prints with a contemporary lens. The FAC show, curated by Colorado College students, fosters appreciation of the prints while highlighting other voices in conversation with Audubon’s work. Reframing Birds of America: Conversations on Audubon comes from the Fine Arts Center’s collection of several hundred Audubon prints and includes rarely seen examples.

The selection of prints on display not only bear witness to the natural beauty of America’s birds, but also offer rich opportunities to reflect on current debates and issues around Audubon and his Birds of America. The exhibition explores the problematic context in which the prints were created, including questions of ecology, gender roles, naturalists’ practices, and colonial history. Interrogating Audubon’s legacy allows for a better understanding of the dynamics of race and power in art and natural history. Through a multi-vocal approach, the show foregrounds the viewer as an active participant in creating meaning.

Image: John James Audubon, Phoenicopterus Ruber, Linn. Old Male (Greater Flamingo), 1838
Collection of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, FA 1958.6.173, Gift of the Estate of Phillip B. Stewart