Amalia Ulman’s new book defies and defends the negative opinions of pigeons

Amalia Ulman loves pigeons. Yes, pigeons. Anyone who is a fan of the artist who rose to fame for combining the fine arts with the likeable tendency of Instagram will know this from her New Yorker comics, pigeon-related memes and general love for the pesky birds. Now, Amalia has taken her relationship with the bird species to the next level, publishing Bob a Job is a Job is a Job with Jean Boîte Editions.

“Pigeons have advanced the course of science and civilisation and have saved thousands of lives. Yet today, they are reviled as rats with wings,” explains the publishers. Bob, Amalia’s sweeping line-driven pigeon character defies the negative opinions of the birds, ddonning a suit over his wings and a tie on his brooding breast, heading off to work.. “Braving this adversity, Bob puts on a suit, and hops feet first into the gig economy — a system “as free as a bird”.”

Bob a Job is a Job is a Job continues Amalia’s fine art tendencies and furthers her illustration work. The Argentinian-born, Spanish raised and Central Saint Martin’s fine art graduate’s works differ in medium, but continuously “blur the distinction between the artist and object of study, often creating humorous gentle deceptions, while exploring class imitation, and the relationship between consumerism and identity”. The character of Bob displays this, using the representation of an underdog, someone misunderstood and representing him in a new position, the working guy, commuting on transport and wandering round his neighbourhood.

“By happily disregarding all the ground rules, Amalia Ulman has created her own original world — sophisticated one moment and whimsical the next, sweet and then satirical,” explains Jean Boîte Editions. “With an irresistible blend of biting humour and affectionate observation, this is a perfect gift book for pigeon lovers everywhere.”