Alastair Mackie Sculptures: Untitled -Sphere, 2010

(Mouse, Wood, Glass, Skulls)

Inner library

Courtesy the Artist and All Visual Arts, London

The owl, having swallowed its prey whole, slowly digests the nourishing, softer parts. It then regurgitates the indigestible bones, feathers and fur in the form of a pellet. To create his sculpture Alastair Mackie extracts mouse skulls from the pellets. With meticulous craftsmanship he turns this natural product into an object of fascination, beauty and scientific curiosity. A hint of the initial violence lingers in the fragility of the work.





Dissecting owl pellets is a common pursuit for boys who grow up in the countryside. In the serious and learned surroundings of the Inner Library, this piece acts as a nostalgic reminder of childhood.