Resurgence: A Tribute to the Bearded Vulture in the Swiss Alps
For the Vision Arts Festival in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, a monumental mural titled Resurgence was unveiled by Sonny Sundancer, a 16 x 30 ft outdoor work that pays homage to one of the region’s most extraordinary conservation stories.
Honouring the Bearded Vulture
The mural celebrates the bearded vulture, a bird once shrouded in myth and fear. For centuries, folklore branded these majestic creatures as predators capable of carrying off livestock and even children. Misunderstanding led to persecution, and by the mid-20th century, the bearded vulture was driven to the edge of extinction in the Alps.
Resurgence reframes this narrative. Painted high in the Swiss Alps, it depicts not fear, but flight; not myth, but majesty. The image of the bearded vulture, wings outstretched against the alpine sky, becomes a symbol of endurance and renewal.
Resurgence by Sonny, a tribute to the bearded vulture, painted high in the Swiss Alps for Vision Arts Festival, Crans-Montana 2024
From Extinction to Renewal
Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, the bearded vulture has returned to its ancestral home. Their presence is once again felt in the skies above Crans-Montana, a living reminder of what is possible when humans choose protection over persecution.
The mural captures this journey: from near disappearance to revival, from silence to soaring. Its scale reflects both the bird’s grandeur and the weight of its history, turning a blank wall into a statement of ecological triumph.
Resurgence by Sonny, a tribute to the bearded vulture, painted high in the Swiss Alps for Vision Arts Festival, Crans-Montana 2024
Art in the Alps
The Vision Arts Festival is known for weaving contemporary art into the dramatic landscapes of the Swiss Alps. Resurgence finds its natural place here. An artwork in dialogue with mountains, sky, and the very creatures it honours. It is both a celebration of conservation and a meditation on resilience, showing how art can echo the rhythms of nature and remind us of our responsibility to it.
Discover More by Sonny
For those inspired by Resurgence and Sonny’s powerful storytelling through art, we have a curated collection of his works available online.