A Parliament of Monsters, the animal body as art and entertainment

I propose that it is because of the authenticity of taxidermy, and the empathy it garners in the viewer, that puts this medium in a unique position to recharge the conservation and climate change debate. This work explores the journey humans and animals have made together since antiquity, a torrid history of exploitation and interdependence and how this journey informs the way we reference the Animal Body in art and entertainment today. My question is; in these times of climate change fatigue - can I create and exhibit artworks using the medium of taxidermy that will talk to a broad audience and add to the general conservation debate? Given the level of fatigue in and around the climate change exacerbated by big industry, the conservative press and small thinking politicians, it would seem timely to explore new ways to engage the public in conservation issues more generally and climate stress in particular. I argue that conventional methods in producing sculpture, specifically stone, wood, resin, plaster, clay or steel cannot and do not provoke the same emotional response in the viewer as the use of the animals own skin.

Autorentext

Rod McRae has made work as an illustrator, photographer, sculptor, taxidermist and installation artist and lectures in design. In the 1980 s and 90 s he penned and illustrated over 50 books for children. More recently he has been exploring and exhibiting sculpture and installation art using the medium of taxidermy.