“Permanent Residents and Visitors” is an aerial view of some of the most common birds living in or visiting New York City. The observation of birds and their richness of color, flight, and song inspired the artist. Numerous species of birds cross the sky — rendered in clear and etched glass — including gulls, ducks, blue jays, eagles, cardinals, geese, and crows. Animals coexist with humans, sharing our space and the urban experience. The combination of their graceful behavior, colors, and songs reminds us of the natural environment that surrounds us, and that these graceful creatures are an important part of our lives.

Alfredo Ceibal was born, raised, and educated in Guatemala and then lived in New York City for many years. A self-taught artist, his early work explored themes of identity, including social rites of Guatemalan culture: funerals, honeymoons, piñatas, and quince años, among others. Gradually, Ceibal's work evolved towards Anthropocene investigations and implications in planetary biological wear and its consequences for humanity. His work has been shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions at MoMA PS1, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and El Museo del Barrio, among others. In 2006, Ceibal returned to Guatemala City where he currently resides and works.