Nestful

Nestful (2021)

Artists: Janet Austin and Emily Moorhead-Wallace

Media: Reclaimed lumber and donated scrap materials

Location: 1968 N Stockton Dr., Chicago IL, 60614

Artists Janet Austin and Emily Moorhead-Wallace are with their completed tree habitat sculpture, Nestful, located across from the Farm-in-the-Zoo in Lincoln Park. The sculpture is supported by the Chicago Park District and artist group Chicago Sculpture International in their collaborative venture, the Chicago Tree Project. Reclaimed and scrap material from the artists’ studios as well as donated material make up the artwork’s 190 installed birdhouses.

This permanent artwork will be on display throughout the remaining life of the tree. A free audio guide of the tree is available on the digital application Otocast (also available in Spanish).

Nestful lives in an oak tree that is over 100 years old and has reached the end of its lifespan. The tree is breaking down around previous damage and losing the ability to support itself due to the loss of foliage for hydration and food. This tree will slowly collapse under its weight and crumble to become the nutrients for fauna, flora, and other future trees.

Located on the vibrant urban lakeshore and similar to the buildings that surround it, this artwork supports high density living. To support the tree’s changing state, the artists increased habitats for native bird and insect species. Houses are made of reclaimed and repurposed lumber with the ideal dimensions for various birds including chickadees, nuthatches, swallows, wrens, woodpeckers, warblers, flickers, starlings, sparrows, flycatchers, bluebirds, and titmice.

The birdhouse sculpture supports increased biodiversity, reflecting the city’s varied residents. The artists hope Nestful will provide shelter over the winter of 2021 and they look for family nesting next spring and for many springs to come.

This piece is part of the Chicago Tree Project commissioned by the Chicago Park District.