CLAUDE JAMMET, Psanky II (Red Vibernum)
Oil on paper, 22 x 22 cm
This work is a Canary on a Red Viburnum branch. The phrase "canary in a coal mine" is frequently used to refer to a person or thing which serves as an early warning of a coming crisis. By analogy, the term "climate canary" is used to refer to a species that is affected by an environmental danger prior to other species, thus serving as an early warning system for the other species with regard to the danger.
The work title comes from a pysanka (plural: pysanky), a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated using beeswax and dyes. They are symbolic representations of life, fertility, and the return of spring.
CLAUDE JAMMET, Flattery
Oil on paper mounted on canvas, 140.5 x 80 cm
Years ago whilst visiting the Sénanque Abbey in the South of France, I read the Medieval Bestiary. I began to see that most of our prejudices about certain beasts are still based on superstitions and not on scientific fact, and at that time, I started to redress some of those myths through fable.
– Claude Jammet
CLAUDE JAMMET, Life
Oil on paper mounted on canvas, 30 x 30 cm
My life-long production has revolved around mankind in his context of nature, but there is an urgency now to leave humanity out of the picture as the source of the decline of the natural world, and to give precedence to the species that are being wiped out daily.
- Claude Jammet
CLAUDE JAMMET, LIfe II
Oil on paper mounted on canvas, 30 x 30 cm
My work is also an attempt to apologise to posterity. We are now fully entered into the Anthropocene Era, the disappearance of the animals I am painting is sadly imminent, if not already a fact.
– Claude Jammet
CLAUDE JAMMET, Chaperon
Oil on paper on canvas, 65 x 80 cm
The phrase "canary in a coal mine" is frequently used to refer to a person or thing which serves as an early warning of a coming crisis. By analogy, the term "climate canary" is used to refer to a species that is affected by an environmental danger prior to other species, thus serving as an early warning system for the other species with regard to the danger.
CLAUDE JAMMET, Fallout
Oil on paper on canvas, 70 x 70 cm
The kākāpō, meaning ‘night parrot’ in Maori, is a large green parrot with a distinctive owl-like face and a waddling gait. They cannot fly, but they climb well. They are endemic to New Zealand and critically endangered.
CLAUDE JAMMET, Il Commendatore
Oil on paper on canvas, 140 x 100 cm
"The title of this painting is named after one of the characters from Mozart’s Don Giovanni Opera. And the commendatore is actually the father figure, who represents Saturn. He is the our castigator. He is the person who drives us." - Claude Jammet
The bird depicted is the harpy eagle, one of the largest raptors in the world. They will also hunt in open areas adjacent to forest patches. Though their range is extensive, including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and Venezuela, Harpy Eagles are generally rare and sparsely distributed. They are thought to be locally or regionally extinct in large parts of their former range, which covered most of central and north Central America.
CLAUDE JAMMET, Mascot
Oil on paper on canvas, 25 x 20 cm
In our mythology, owls are often associated with wisdom knowledge, and prophecy
- Claude Jammet
Their nocturnal habits and keen eyesight have led to their portrayal as insightful beings, while their silent flight and spooky calls have contributed to their association with the supernatural and foretelling the future.
CLAUDE JAMMET, Natron
Oil on paper on canvas, 50 x 85 cm
The Marabou Stork is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, and down to South Africa. They can be found in a variety of habitats, both wet and arid. It often resides near human habitation, particularly around landfill sites.
CLAUDE JAMMET, The Gathering
Oil on paper on canvas, 95 x 70 cm
In the poem, the group of birds are looking for their ideal leader. I thought it was quite apt with all the elections that have been going on worldwide, with all of us trying to work out what’s going to be the best bet for us ourselves … The Gathering makes reference to political gatherings and rallies.
– Claude Jammet
Cousin to the Andean Condor, the California Condor is the largest bird in North America. The population fell to just 22 birds in the 1980s, but there are now about 275 free-flying birds in California, Utah, Arizona, and Baja California with more than 160 in captivity.
CLAUDE JAMMET, The Other Candidate
Oil on paper on canvas, 38 x 48 cm
Being up to four feet tall and with a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet, Andean Condors are considered the largest raptor in the world. Because they are so heavy (up to 33 pounds), even their enormous 10-foot wingspan needs some help to keep them aloft. For that reason, these birds prefer to live in windy areas where they can glide on air currents with little effort. Andean condors are found in mountainous regions, as their name suggests, but also live near coasts replete with ocean breezes and even deserts that feature strong thermal air currents.
CLAUDE JAMMET, The Simorgh
Oil on paper on canvas, 100 x 90 cm
In the poem, the birds refer to ‘The Simorgh’ as their ideal leader. In our mythology, owls are often associated with wisdom, knowledge and prophecy.
– Claude Jammet
The simurgh or simorgh is a benevolent bird in Persian mythology and literature. It is depicted in Iranian art as a winged creature in the shape of a bird, gigantic enough to carry off an elephant or a whale. It appears as a peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion – sometimes, however, also with a human face.
Specialists in contemporary art from South Africa. Established in 1913. South African artists are part of the global conversation. We seek to make their voices heard.