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Birds, Unstuffed
2012-14 Reverse Taxidermy. Variable materials and dimensions. A collection of bird taxidermy specimens that have been re-skinned to reveal the internal structures and hidden strategies used in their production. Shabby, inexpensive specimens were sourced from internet auction sites to build the collection over a two year period, including examples made by the artist many years previous. The work examines and challenges notions of 'representational accuracy' commonly attributed to taxidermy by exposing arbitrary modes of production, different levels of skill and expertise, and advances in material technology that impact on the success of the taxidermy at a subcutaneous level. The taxidermy animal is an ambiguous creature that moves disobediently between classificatory distinctions - part specimen, part artefact, part model, part effigy. It is well camouflaged and relies heavily on its context to be seen in the right way. The work has been exhibited at Kendal Museum; RGU Museum Collections; Aberdeen Art Gallery. |
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