Quail Dance

Travertine and red cedar. 2013. 13 1/2″ high with base.

In carving Quail Dance, I explored the complex, dynamic, highly stereotyped ritual courtship dances of quail.  Quail have always appeared to me to glide over the ground almost independently of their legs.  So instead of trying to render their legs, I rested their bodies loosely on a pedestal of travertine to let them dance with each other.

Photos by Lee Gass