A recurring theme in John Denning’s art (both painting and sculpture) has been combining human figures with birds or horses. The bird in the freestanding bronze sculpture "Philosopher," however, sits alone, lying on its back on a tall, narrow perch. What is also new here is the introduction of an abstract form balanced on the animal's beak, creating a tension as well as whimsy, and allowing the viewer to participate by turning and repositioning the form.

Edition number 3 of 9 was just cast in 2021 and is now available. Each patina in the edition is unique, and #3/9 has a rich, dark patina as shown in the first three images. The fourth image shows the first cast in the edition, finished with a light patina, installed in a California garden.