François-Xavier Lalanne's Oiseau de Jardin, 2004

In the zoomorphic kingdom of François-Xavier Lalanne's sculptures, the bird emerges as a symbol of poetic elegance and whimsical abstraction, bridging the natural and the surreal through a quiet sense of humor. Explored in various thematic iterations throughout his oeuvre, the artist's Oiseau sculptures reflect his lifelong fascination with this nomadic airborne creature. Translated as "Garden Bird," Oiseau de Jardin blurs the line between wildlife and domesticity, taking the form of an elegantly streamlined bird recontextualized for ornamental purposes. Designed for placement on a flat surface, the work evokes a bird caught in a moment of quiet reflection—perched in stillness and poised in a transitory state before taking flight on its next unknowable journey. Although purely sculptural, it participates in the decorative tradition, quietly transforming the space it inhabits. Suitable in scale for both outdoor and indoor settings, Oiseau de Jardin (2004) invites viewers to pause and contemplate the delicate balance between nature's freedom and its surreal transformation.