Taxidermy Art A Rogue's Guide to the Work, the Culture, and How to Do it Yourself

About this book

From home-goods stores to hip bars, the Tate Modern to the most conservative decor magazine, taxidermy is everywhere these days. And for as long as there has been taxidermy, there have been people who are willing to push its boundaries – from the jackalope to Damien Hirst sticking a shark in a tank of formaldehyde. Unlike traditional taxidermy, these mounts are not meant to mimic reality and are instead used to artistic effect. Rogue taxidermy is at the cutting edge of this trend, featuring stunning, provocative pieces "not without a certain sly humor" (The New York Times). In this, the first-ever collection of rogue taxidermy, you'll find a monkey with a fez and a martini glass, a jewel-encrusted piglet, a bionic fawn, and a polar bear floating balancing refrigerator. Author Robert Marbury makes for a friendly (and often funny) guide, taking readers through a brief history of taxidermy (and what sets rogue taxidermy apart) and presents stunning pieces from twenty of the most influential artists in the field. Rounding out Taxidermy Art are six illustrated how-to lessons to get readers started on their own work, with sources for taxidermy materials and resources for the budding taxidermists.

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Biography

Robert Marbury is the director and cofounder of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. He is a multidisciplinary artist working in fabric, photography, and fur, and in addition to creating his own art, he launched the taxidermy bienniel at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles and currently co-hosts and judges the annual Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest in Brooklyn. Marbury lives in Baltimore and lectures internationally on rogue taxidermy.

Robert Marbury is the author of The Rogue's Guide to Taxidermy.