Taxidermy Birds
I am currently working on a painting directly inspired by the taxidermy birds in the collection of San Bernardino County Museum here in Southern California. The directive is to work with the museum collection to create new meaning. My painting will be on display amongst the taxidermy this summer.
When I think about preserved animals in a museum, younger me would have been offended. I would have rather seen LIVING creatures instead of the old, sometimes badly posed, dead animals on display. I would have thought about how the animals might have been purposely killed for the sake of being mounted and displayed.
But now when I see taxidermy animals, I think of the current political climate and the decimation of biodiversity on this planet. I think about how vast species of birds have been in decline since the 1970’s. What if one day taxidermy is the only way to ever know an animal existed?
What a depressing thought.
These preserved birds remind us of the beauty of the natural world and the importance of protecting it. As bird populations continue to rapidly decline, this painting asks viewers to consider what remains when wildlife disappears. I chose to paint the preserved birds as a reminder of how museums help preserve memory, knowledge, and appreciation for future generations.
I hope to create an entire series of TAXIDERMY BIRDS paintings and drawings. Until then, enjoy these photos of some of the taxidermy birds of SBCM.
P.S. I have also included images of my painting in process.
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