Southern Whitefaced Owl, No. 7214, Birds of a Feather

Signed and editioned on recto. Signed, titled, dated and editioned on certificate of authenticity.

Available in 3 sizes:

18 x 12 inches (edition of 15)

36 x 24 inches (edition of 7)

60 x 40 inches (edition of 5)

In Birds of a Feather, Claire Rosen photographs live birds against opulent, historically inspired backdrops, creating portraits that sit somewhere between natural history, decorative art, and contemporary photography. In Southern White-faced Owl No. 7214, the owl’s striking facial markings and watchful gaze are set against Damask Textile, a backdrop whose formal patterning gives the image a sense of richness, symmetry, and quiet drama.

The southern white-faced owl is a small African owl recognized for its pale, mask-like face, dark-rimmed eyes, and expressive presence. Photographed at Eagle Encounters in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 2016, the bird appears alert and composed, its compact form and intense gaze giving the portrait a sense of both delicacy and authority.

Rosen’s process is rooted in patience, close observation, and respect for the birds she photographs. These are not digitally composited images; the artist brings her carefully selected wallpapers and textile backdrops to the birds, photographing them in front of the chosen setting in real time. Rather than forcing a pose, Rosen allows each bird’s natural movements, gestures, and personality to guide the image, capturing moments when the subject appears calm, alert, and fully itself. The result is a layered meditation on beauty, individuality, and the long human impulse to admire and understand the natural world. In keeping with the spirit of the project, a percentage of the artist’s profits from the series will be donated to charity.