What inspired me in 2009, an industrial designer in New Zealand, to create life-sized native bird silhouettes out of metal?

I loved creating the birds, sure, but the biggest kick I got was from installing them in parks and streets around my neighbourhood (anywhere I thought I wouldn’t get arrested, basically) and seeing the surprise, delight and intrigue they caused.

Once they saw them, people wanted Metalbirds of their own. My little art project became a side hustle then a full-time job, and finally, with a small team, we took Metalbird to the world. The artistic act of tapping a bird into a post or tree and transforming your environment is something that brings joy to people all over the globe.

We love what we do, we love what you do. So thanks and welcome to the global art project.