Kotone Deguchi, Creature conserve scholarship recipient

The Weight of a Feather: Rhode Island Birds, Rehabilitation, and the Intimacy of Care

“Over the course of the project's development, I have continued to volunteer with Sheida Soleimani at her home rehabilitation clinic. In addition to my own notes and documentation of the types of birds and their injuries that came through the clinic,  Sheida and I would discuss the injuries she often treats. The ceramic birds represent many of the common injuries caused by everyday human impact, and hope to inform people of the changes they can make to reduce potential harm. Some examples in the pieces shown: ruptured air sac from being cat caught, window strike, glue trap, pesticides.

The photo shows the sculptures as they are about to go into the kiln to be bisque fired. To complete the project, they will be dipped in clear glaze and glaze fired, and will be fitted with bronze cast feet. I hope to share the pieces with the public through a collaboration with the Community Libraries of Providence, as well as with other wildlife rehabilitation and bird education organizations and programs.”

Kotone Deguchi (they/them) is a ceramic sculptor and wildlife rehabilitation volunteer. They have volunteered with the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island and Providence bird specialist Sheida Soleimani since 2021. They have a BFA in Sculpture and Extended Media from Virginia Commonwealth University and a background in museum fabrication and public education.

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Instagram: @kotonedreamsof