Ella Guru, best known for her portraits of transvestites in beehive wigs, has left the wild life for wildlife in this solo exhibition of waterfowl paintings and prints. When asked if she is selling out, Ms Guru replied that she is just as excited by ducks, geese and pelicans as by men in drag, confirming Quentin Crisp's comment that Ms Guru is indeed "weird".

The good healthy birds in this show are hardly weird though. Many can be found in Clissold Park, just across the street from Ryan's. Black Swans, Mandarin Ducks, and Canada Geese are all regularly seen in the park, which Ms Guru frequents for inspiration. Another favourite is the well known Mr Goosie, the lone fat farmyard goose who lives conveniently near the café, where he receives bread from all passers by. There is such fondness for him that Ms Guru once overheard some old men saying to the goose, "If those children bother you again, Mr Goosie, I'll him them with my stick!"

Travelling further afield, Ms Guru has been bird-watching in the Danube Delta in Romania, though she confesses not to be a professional birdwatcher, she just likes large waterfowl. Pelicans are native to the Delta as well as to Florida, but the most prima donna pelicans you will ever meet belong to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They reside in St James Park; anyone who has ever seen the five Great White birds prance and preen will have to agree they are the drag queens of the bird kingdom. Not even Black Swans or Canada Geese dare to start a fight with those pelicans.

Ms Guru studied art in Columbus Ohio where she grew up. She has lived in London for 12 years, and currently resides about a 10 minute walk from Clissold Park, with her husband and cat, both of whom are also fans of large birds.

some pictures for the show can be found here