I am the kind of magazine buyer who picks at random, flicking through the pages to check I approve before making a quick purchase. I obviously have my regulars, but as well of these I try to find something different each time in the endless titles that Borders offers. This week it was DANSK, meaning Danish...in er...Danish! And it is absolutely fabulous (it takes a lot for me to utter that hideously 'fashion' adjective).
It is in this perfect magazine that I discovered the artist Angela Singer. Upon first inspection I was quite disgusted by what I saw on the page in front of me, however when I looked closer I realised that what looked like gore from Battle Royale, was in fact old haberdashery. Genius! Singer is an animal activist, who uses recycled taxidermy and other tid-bits to illustrate an utterly modern commentary on the relationship between animals and humans today. Some of her work is quite difficult to look at, reminding us the way animals can be treated in testing facilities/the fur trade/the food trade (which is exactly what she wants us, as viewers and consumers, to question). I am in no position to get on my high-horse about animal welfare, but I can see what she is trying to do and I appreciate it. In most cases she transforms these once stagnant pieces of taxidermy into beautifully alive, modern works of art.
Those of you who were with me at the beginning will know that I have quite an affection for taxidermy, and I really cannot put my finger on why. I just think these once living creatures are beautiful, poetic and completely inspiring. Although I wouldn't have Singer's work hanging on my bedroom wall, I certainly respect it and would love her to show in London some day.
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