'How the artist was led to the study of Nature' is a collection of carefully hand-painted porcelain eggs that form part of the project 'A Natural History of Bird Building' which was first commissioned by Artangel and recently shown at Tate St Ives. This is a collaborative exploration of the science and poetry of bird nests by multidisciplinary artist Andy Holden and his father, ornithologist Peter Holden.

The film element delves into the nesting habits of various species, such as the elaborate constructions of weaver birds and the artistic displays of bowerbirds, which Andy considers the “original artists.” This project reflects a seven-year collaboration between father and son, blending art and natural history to prompt viewers to engage more deeply with the natural world.

Through this film, the Holdens investigate the ecological and symbolic significance of nests while engaging in a dialogue that reflects their own father-son dynamic. The result is both scientific enquiry and artistic reflection, merging Peter’s expertise in ornithology with Andy’s creative interpretation.

Accompanying the film is a vitrine displaying Andy’s collection of bird nests gathered during research for the film, alongside sculptural imitations of weaver bird nests and hand-painted porcelain replicas of bird eggs. These objects reveal the meticulous craftsmanship of birds and highlight the shared instinct for creation and transformation found in nature and art.

Andy Holden is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice encompasses sculpture, large installations, painting, music, performance, animation, and multi-screen videos. His work often begins with personal anecdotes that expand into broader philosophical inquiries. He gained national attention with his 2010 exhibition at Tate Britain, featuring “Pyramid Piece,” an enormous knitted rock based on a fragment he took from the Great Pyramid of Giza as a boy and later returned.