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"KEELBORNE"

Dimensions: H:50cm x W:24cm x L:50cm​

Material: Mixed media and archival paper on a stone and oak base.
Weight: 4kg

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Comes with a signed and dated Certificate of Authenticity
 
£1995

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The keel-billed toucan is among the most vividly coloured birds on Earth, instantly recognisable by its large, radiant bill, a feature so striking it seems painted from an artist’s palette. Its name comes from the curved keel of a boat, reflected in the shape of its bill. Though dramatic in size, up to one-third the bird’s body length, the bill is surprisingly light, made of keratin with a hollow, honeycomb-like structure. It is used not only for feeding and display, but also for regulating body temperature.
 

This toucan is the national bird of Belize, a symbol of its lush forests and ecological richness. In Mayan culture, it was revered as a spiritual figure, a vivid presence in stories, ceremony, and the natural world.

The sculpture is titled ‘Keelborne’, meaning carried by the keel. The bill is both the structural and visual centre of the toucan, a point from which balance, identity, and colour emerge. This piece reflects that idea: how boldness can be balanced, and how beauty is often rooted in form and function.

Keelborne brings vibrancy and quiet elegance to any space. Whether placed on a pedestal, mantle, or shelf, it pairs naturally with materials like wood, stone, or glass. Which resonates beautifully alongside plants or botanical prints, evoking the toucan’s native habitat and presence.

 

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