Flightless Birds - Exhibition by Jason McDonald

Flightless Birds is an exhibition that celebrates Aotearoa’s beloved native flightless birds through a vibrant lens of Pop Surrealism and classic Kiwi jest.

With bold colours and compositions and a little tongue-in-cheek humour, this body of work captures the charm, resilience, and peculiarity of these iconic creatures. Each piece offers more than just a portrait — it’s a playful yet poignant reflection on what it means to be Kiwi.

From the curious Kiwi to the defiant Weka, these birds become symbolic storytellers, inviting viewers to consider our national identity, quirks and all. This exhibition is a tribute to these feathered misfits who can’t fly — but certainly know how to stand their ground.

Jason Ian McDonald is a high school visual arts teacher and an emerging mixed media artist from Whakatāne. He values his role as a teacher and believes it significantly influences his ongoing growth as an artist, providing the opportunity to explore and engage with the wealth of artistic inspiration available both locally and from around the world. 

He believes the act of teaching deepens his understanding of established artistic practice and also demands that he stay sharp, Continuously learning and evolving in order to effectively share knowledge and inspire his students.

Skateboard graphics and 90s punk rock album covers first captured his imagination at a young age and their bold, rebellious aesthetic continues to shape his artistic style today. His expanding body of work celebrates Aotearoa’s native flightless birds, blending a little Pop Surrealism with a touch of tongue-in-cheek Kiwi Humour. His work captures the charm, resilience, and quirks of these unique creatures, while offering a playful reflection on Kiwi identity.