Big Bird often takes on a leadership role within Sesame Street, guiding characters and children through difficult emotions and challenges. Additionally he possesses a wide range of talents, including poetry writing, ice skating and riding a unicycle. I imagine that beneath his patient exterior, he is exhausted having to deal with the other character’s bullshit, while his own capacity as a talent is frequently overlooked.

My painting aims to capture Big Bird’s silent struggle behind the scenes. The moments he gets to himself are spent lost in unhealthy vices. Big Bird is a smart and talented bird, but years of intellectual isolation and under-stimulation have faded his spirit, he’s fallen into an abusive and self-destructive cycle against himself.