The Rachel Denny ‘Works of Nature’ exhibit features various taxidermy-esque animal sculptures constructed from man-made materials.
A departure from the artist’s previous animal ‘trophies’ that she constructed from wool, knit and cashmere materials, this collection pushes the boundaries of reconstructing found items with each material used telling a story in and of itself.
A great deal of Denny’s pieces are painstakingly complex and require months worth of work to complete. The two horse sculptures in the collection are among the more interesting of the set with one being constructed from cellophane-wrapped candy and the other from copper pennies that were flattered after being passed over by speeding trains.
Her major influence for the pieces stems from a combination of hunting animals with her father in the summer and embroidering during the winter months. This mix of activity is evident in the way her work seamlessly merges the wildness and domesticity by constructing rough and tumble animals perched among delicately pieced together gardens.
Fantastical Wildlife Fauxidermy (UPDATE)
Rachel Denny ‘Works of Nature' Combines Domes
Trend Themes
1. Upcycled Taxidermy - Opportunity for creating faux taxidermy sculptures using unconventional materials, such as copper pennies and cellophane-wrapped candy.
2. Storytelling Through Materials - Opportunity to construct sculptures that tell a narrative by using found items that have their own stories.
3. Mixed Media Artistry - Opportunity to combine different artistic techniques, such as hunting and embroidery, to create unique and visually captivating pieces.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The art industry can explore new possibilities in sculpture by incorporating unconventional materials and narratives through artwork.
2. Crafts - Craft industries can adapt and innovate taxidermy techniques by utilizing alternative materials and storytelling elements.
3. Mixed Media - The mixed media industry can experiment with combining various artistic techniques, such as hunting and embroidery, to create distinctive art forms.