The idea for 'Birdman' arose from the American freak shows that were popular in the  1840s–1940s, that exhibited people with physical, mental, or behavioural differences for financial gain. This exploitative form of entertainment assumed that those who didn't align to the expectations of society were considered inferior, yet the opposite may be closer to the truth! The greatest human achievements have often come from the scientists, artists and musicians that have dared to peep behind the veil.
The painting portrays how humanity can mistakenly reduce 'messengers of the divine' to 'freaks with wings' and fail to see past the transient physical appearance to the eternal beauty within.