Capturing the intricate details of beauty and resilience always present in our natural surrounds, artist Leila Jeffreys is internationally known for her graceful and evocative portraits of birds.
Inspired by a line written by 13th century Persian poet Rumi, The wound is the place where the light enters, Jeffreys’ new exhibition features portraits of native cockatoos, vibrantly hued Gouldian finches and the bleeding-heart dove, each photographed on neutral backgrounds and linked by subtle hints of the colour red.
Leaning more into the conceptual realm than in previous exhibitions, in this collection of work Jeffreys views red feathers as a symbolic representation of the wound – an exterior marker of pain that also embodies inner strength and endurance. As humans we are taught to hide physical evidence of our pain as though it is a sign of weakness. Here, Jeffreys and her avian subjects invite the viewer to see the wound as a pathway for healing and growth, a powerful way to find and celebrate strength in the wake of hardship.


Borne from witnessing the overwhelming destruction caused by the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, Jeffreys’ portraits seek to highlight the resilience of the natural world and those who inhabit it. Offering a point of joy and beauty in an increasingly chaotic world, Jeffreys reminds us to take time to reconnect with nature, to remember our place within it and reaffirm our deep connection to all living beings.



Briony Downes