Carl D’Silva Papers

This collection contains material related to the life and work of Goan bird illustrator, Carl D’Silva. The papers have been arranged into 3 series - art, ornithological research, and biographical and personal material. The series strives to retain Carl’s arrangement where it exists and the archives has determined an arrangement for the rest to illustrate his work and process. The existing collection has been arranged into three series:

Series 1: Art

Sub-Series 1: Proofs of art Sub-Series 2: Preparatory drawings and sketches Sub-Series 3: Studies (Sketches, drawings, and paintings) Sub-Series 4: Logos, signatures, and other promotional material

Series 2: Ornithological research

Sub-Series 1: Notebooks, journals, and other documents Sub-Series 2: Research references Sub-Series 3: Audio-visual material Sub-Series 4: Correspondence

Series 3: Biographical and personal material

Sub-Series 1: Media clippings related to Carl D’Silva Sub-Series 2: Personal Sub-Series 3: Ephemera

Series 1 titled ‘Art’ contains all accessioned materials identified as Carl’s artwork. This includes finalised outputs and sketches, drawings, doodles, paintings, and related work that went into its creation.

The first sub-series, proofs of art, contains various kinds of artworks that are either final proofs or published material created by Carl D’Silva. It includes bird paintings, brochures for exhibitions, postcards, magazines, news articles, and journals. The second sub-series, preparatory drawings and sketches, includes drawings of birds made in preparation for bird plates in Helm Field Guides. The drawings are made on drawing paper and tracing paper, some cut-outs are classified according to species by Carl. Those without identification have been classified according to the order of the species. The third sub-series, studies (sketches, drawings, and paintings), includes artwork that reveals his early years as an artist where he explored various brushes, colour scales, geometry, patterns, human and animal subjects. The artworks are a combination of these studies which include his sketches of bird features, movements, postures, and their landscape. The fourth sub-series, logos, signatures, and other promotional material, consists of Carl’s customised signatures for his collaborators Salim Ali and SA Hussain, logo designs for Conservation Action Group, and branding work for his studio, D’Silva Fine Art Studio. Series 2, ornithological research, consists of his own collections, writings, photographs, and documents that are a part of his artistic process and ornithological research. The first sub-series, notebooks, journals, and other documents, consists of writings in the form of entries made during visits to various wildlife sanctuaries in India which includes observations of bird behaviour. Also included are materials related to Carl’s exhibition, his travels, and drafts of an MoU signed with the Kerala Forest Research Institute for an untitled publication. The second sub-series, research references, includes newspaper articles, articles from the Journal of BNHS, book excerpts, illustrations, and more research material from other ornithologists.

The third sub-series, audio-visual material, includes photographs taken during his work visits, a large collection being from his visit to various national parks across India, some from his time on the film set of ‘Electric Moon’, from birdwatching trip in Canada. Also included are photos of animals and birds, some taxidermy subjects at BNHS, and his work, particularly his work on building a pegasus structure.

The fourth sub-series, correspondence, includes letters between Carl and fellow birders, ornithologists, and artists, exchanging pleasantries, collaborating on a field guide, or providing feedback on bird plates. This sub-series also includes letters regarding his exhibition ‘Conservation on Canvas’.

Series 3 is biographical and personal material. This series includes materials that detail Carl’s life, his hobbies, achievements, and involvement in various projects. It also includes his personal collection that reflects his interests.

The first sub-series, media clippings related to Carl D’Silva, include cut-outs of originals as well as copies of newspaper and magazine articles, about Carl’s work. Some of these are press material for his exhibitions ‘Conservation on Canvas’ and ‘Feathers ‘n’ Fur’.

The second sub-series, personal, contains certificates and mark sheets from school displaying his proficiency in art, language, sports, and singing. Also included is a biographical sketch and an ID card issued by BNHS as a staff artist at the society.

The third sub-series, ephemera, contains remaining art materials, a book on lettering, and collectables like postcards, paintings, articles, and prints by other artists retained by Carl.