Description
Dimensions: 23 x 10.5 x 4.5″
Weight: 26.6 lbs
‘Starling’ arrived as the 8th Liberty Collection carving via a deliberate attempt to split off from the Liberty Slab a long, slender slice of Colorado Yule Marble that could accommodate the idea of a bowl to bring balance to a collection filled with taller, more substantial works. The result is a hand-carved marble bowl that is understated, modest, and deftly practical to own. Designed to “lay low,” it introduces a fresh, nimble presence to the Collection’s repertoire.
From the start, even before a chisel touched the stone, a distinct avian shape was evident. This suggested a natural fit within Martin Cooney’s bird-like series — alongside works such as Sparrow, Robin, and Birdseye. Inspired partly by the celebrated San Rocchino Pool, the carving evolved into the sleek outline of a starling: beak, tail feathers, and the lively stance of a bird probing for its next find.
The name quickly took hold. And now, whether or not viewers perceive the avian form, Starling succeeds as both bowl and sculpture — gracing a window, table, or plinth with its curves, balance, and intriguing presence. At just 26.6 lbs., it is light enough to move and reposition with ease.
Finally, Starling pays homage to the common birds that brighten daily life. These “ordinary” stalwarts of the aviary world — starlings among them — are bold, intelligent companions in our landscapes, and their cheerful resilience inspires the sculpture itself.
