The Owl and the Birds 1912

Arthur Rackham made this ink drawing called 'The Owl and the Birds' at an unknown date. What you see here is a cacophony of birds surrounding a staring owl. Just imagine the artist bending over the page with their pen, the scratching and swirling marks building up to suggest textures and shapes. I love the bold, graphic feel of it! Rackham's marks are so assured as he layers and weaves them to create this lively scene. I imagine him thinking about all of the details and the individual character of each bird, building up the tension and drama. The owl's expression is particularly striking – those big, knowing eyes staring straight out. I can imagine the way the artist’s hand moved to create that gaze. What was Rackham trying to say about community here and the role of the outsider? He joins a long line of artists, from outsider art to folk art, grappling with similar kinds of themes, riffing off and inspiring one another across time.