Arranging Anatomy prt. I

Arranging Anatomy

                Artists can create a hidden message and hit a stronger cord towards humankind by using stuffed animals in their artwork. Not just any type of stuffed animal but taxidermy. Taxidermy is derived from Greek, meaning, the arrangement of skin.

                Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, even reptiles and fish. First the animal is skinned; this is usually accomplished without opening the body cavity, so taxidermists don’t see any blood or internal organs. Then, depending on the type of skin, preserving chemicals are applied or the skin is tanned. It is then either mounted on a manikin made of wood wool and wire, or a polyurethane form. Clay is used to install glass eyes, to me the most creepy feature of these animals.

                One interesting form of taxidermy is Rogue Taxidermy. Rogue taxidermy is creating stuffed animals that do not have real living counterparts. Think of the infamous “mermaid”, jackalopes, griffins, and unicorns.

                When the platypus was first discovered by Europeans in 1798, a sketch and pelt were sent to the United Kingdom. Many people thought it at first to be a hoax, that a taxidermist had sewn a ducks beak onto the body of a beaver-like animal. It was even checked for stitches.

                Sarina Brewer is a taxidermy artist who creates beautiful Rogue Taxidermy. At first she began with oil paints and found objects, most being mummified animal remains, then grew to taxidermy and finally Rogue Taxidermy. Some of her pieces include Griffins, a winged squirrel, an adorable two-headed peep, and a winged kitten. “Some people call what I do sick, some call it eccentric. Some people call it repulsive, some call it beautiful. You can call it whatever you want… I call it art.” (Sarina Brewer)