HMB 1: Thus It Begins (American Kestrel)

Rick Bartow (American, 1946-2016) is known for large-scale, pastel and graphite drawings of birds and animals from Native American stories. An enrolled member of the Mad River Band of Wiyot Indians, Bartow is considered one of the most important leaders in contemporary Indigenous arts. This drawing, on handmade paper, is from the Shinpukuji Portfolio series, named after a temple Bartow visited in Japan, while participating in a residency. In this series, Bartow illustrated a range of small birds and coyotes, alongside his interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings. The two drawings acquired by the Morgan are also part of Bartow's HMB (Half Moon Bay) series, created in Half Moon Bay, California where Bartow spent time at the home of his romantic partner. This drawing features an American kestrel, found in many parts of North America. Bartow noted: "These little birds are everywhere, they are survivors. Every place I travel has these little birds, filling a niche of the environment that many people ignore."