Photographer Kristin Schnell has created a compelling conceptual photography series titled "Of Cages and Feathers" that examines the complex relationship between freedom and confinement through the lens of rescued parrots. The series, which has been compiled into a comprehensive photo book published by Kehrer Verlag in 2024, consists of several interconnected chapters that work together to tell a deeper story about captivity, care, and control.

The project centers on birds, particularly parrots, that currently live in Schnell's own animal sanctuary dedicated to caring for mistreated animals. These creatures carry a heavy historical burden, as many of their species were originally captured in Australia by European colonists during the colonial period and have subsequently lived in captivity for multiple generations, passing down their confined existence from one generation to the next.

What sets Schnell's work apart is her unique approach to staging the birds within carefully constructed artificial environments. These settings feature geometric designs that deliberately reflect human concepts of order, control, and aesthetic beauty. Importantly, the artist emphasizes that all sets are built physically rather than created through digital manipulation, lending an authenticity to the work that enhances its conceptual impact.

Despite the controlled environments, the birds are given complete freedom to move within these constructed spaces, creating a fascinating interplay between the artificial settings and the natural behavior of the animals. This dynamic relationship between real animals and manufactured space serves as the foundation for exploring deeper themes that transcend species boundaries.

Through this innovative approach, "Of Cages and Feathers" delves into universal themes including freedom, confinement, vulnerability, and the fundamental desire for connection that exists across different species. The birds in Schnell's photographs become powerful symbolic reflections of human experience, representing individuals caught between natural instinct and imposed structure, between receiving care and being subject to control. The series ultimately suggests that the boundaries between caregiver and captive, protection and imprisonment, are more complex and nuanced than they initially appear.