Henrietta Southam, an acclaimed interior designer with a keen eye for art and design, has been a dedicated supporter of my Fancy Pigeons series, recognizing the aesthetic impact my photographs can bring to spaces. With her deep understanding of how art transforms interior environments, Southam has championed the series for its striking visual qualities and its ability to create a sense of wonder and whimsy.

Southam’s support has been instrumental in elevating my series, allowing it to be showcased in prestigious spaces like The Hyde. Her involvement has helped bring Fancy Pigeons into carefully curated spaces, where the vibrant, intricate images of pigeons serve as captivating focal points.

"Never ever forget art. It holds the idea, imbues the space, leads the way. Brendan Burden’s ironical take on formal portraiture of fancy pigeons touched me at a visceral level. Who has not felt like a pigeon in their lives I ask? The pest of the avian world, these birds were carved hieroglyphs and heralded war heroes. It’s hard to feel ignored when you feel like a diamond. When you ARE a priceless gem. When Peter chose this very pigeon amongst all of the fancier pigeons to adorn this wall and become the first largest print Brendan made of this series, it was because he saw himself in the scrapper. I thus present you then with the formal portrait of my love: curious, humble, humorous, hard working, hard living, dedicated, stubborn and above all..a survivor. So next time you see art, whether on a wall, above the clouds or in the gutter, pause a fleeting moment and gut check. What you feel when you see art is who you are."

-Henrietta Southam