The Pigeons of London: A Study of Urban Resilience

• Julianna Bloodwell, , University of Delaware

• Ashley Pigford, Art and Design, University of Delaware

London is the epicenter of incredible works of art, often created by the affluent and for the affluent. However, the root of London’s artistry lies in its everyday objects that have been overlooked by history. During my trip abroad, I focused my research on delving into the artistic significance of London’s history hidden through the discovery of found objects. However, stepping foot into the city caused my research to take a drastic turn. It was not in fact discarded physical items that told the story of the city, but forgotten life; pigeons. A long hated pest of the urban landscape, the adaptability of the pigeon tells the story of London. Through a  combination of photography, illustration, experimental typography, and collage, I compounded my research into a publication delving into the different aspects in which pigeons unknowingly affect London art and history.  The publication is separated into 4 main categories, resilience, history, overlooked beauty, and their impact on the city, each with a unique design language to accentuate the topic. The publication’s goal is to convey the message the pigeons have taught me, the ignored and overlooked have more of an impact than you think.