Birdland, by Jim Moir

About

Moir’s enduring fascination and wonder at nature is expressed through his unique depictions of peregrine falcons, lapwings, curlews, even elevating the pigeon to iconic status.

The exhibition marks a return to Harrogate for Moir, who first exhibited at RedHouse in 2022 with ‘Yorkshire Rocks & Dinghy Fights’. The collection was a runaway success, captivating visitors and featuring in the first season of Sky Arts’ ‘Painting Birds with Jim & Nancy Moir’.

Described as “The Warhol of bird painting” by Jonathan Jones of The Guardian, Moir was born in Leeds in 1959 and first came to prominence as a comedian, actor and musician - now celebrated as a national treasure. However, long before the character of ‘Vic Reeves’ brought success, Moir was a practising artist and enthusiastic birdwatcher: “People think that I am a comedian, but art comes first”.

All artworks will be available to view and purchase, and the  ‘Birdland’ collection also includes two paintings that feature in the Sky Arts documentary.

Moir: “To paint a bird and put it in its environment gives a bit more of a clue about its life and its personality.”