Byrdz ‘N Da Hood II 

Lucia Heffernan's 'Byrdz ‘N Da Hood II' presents us with small birds donning the garb of hip-hop culture: a bandana, gold chain, boombox, and backwards baseball cap, emblems of a very specific time. Yet these symbols are not as straightforward as they appear. The gold chain, for instance, echoes the ancient use of adornment as a signifier of status, of belonging. The boombox, though modern, recalls the power of music in ancient rituals, a communal expression of the soul. These birds, perched on a graffiti-laden branch, become modern-day tricksters, embodying the spirit of transformation. Consider the graffiti itself. From ancient cave paintings to modern street art, the urge to mark territory, to leave a trace of one's existence, remains a constant. This primal act is an emotional echo through time. Heffernan taps into something deeply embedded in our collective psyche, a playful yet profound commentary on identity, status, and the enduring power of symbols.