Taxidermy Art Comes to Life

You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you’ll probably shake your head when you look at the art on display at the Rogue Taxidermy Show, exhibiting now at the La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood. The show is the invention of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermy (MART) who uses  post-mortem animals to assure everyone that no animals were harmed to create the displays. MART combines animal material with art medium, such as polyurethane and foam, to form pieces of art to entertain onlookers.

From the appearance of the gallery building itself, you can already see that you are in store for the colorful and the unusual. At the exhibit, taxidermists demonstrate how they take the skin from the animal for use in their pieces.

They use the bodies of animals to create beautiful work of art that are for sale, such as the “Mr. Jingles 2010 (Awaiting Spring)”. It is a mummified mouse covered with gold leaf in a velvet ring case. This prized piece was displayed under a glass dome and sold for $425.

The exhibit also has art that are not for those with weak stomachs. Some creations use red paint for blood to evoke strong emotions in the viewer. The “Cat Head Under Glass 2010″ uses cat hide, polyurethane foam, adhesive, and paint for such a piece.

To lighten the mood of using dead animals for art, MART has comedic works like the “Circus Sideshow”, made with mouse pelt, fabric, wood, and paper.

The Rogue Taxidermists bring the animals back to life with animated poses such as these. Another great piece is the “The Squirrel with the Golden Hatchet” that is up for sale for $1,100. It is suspended by strings and looks as if it is flying.

You can view more amazing works of art for sale throughout the month. Even if you don’t have an open wallet, be sure to have an open mind.

Price: Admission to the exhibit is Free

Date & Time: The Rogue Taxidermy Show will exhibit until May 30, 2010. Gallery Hours are M-W 11am-7pm, Th-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

Location: La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles (map)

Photos courtesy of Luna, Ink.