statement

THROUGHOUT HISTORY, man's relationship to nature has been violent at best. The need to conquer, to map, to name, to own, to tame, and to understand the natural world is deeply ingrained in the culture of humanity. This has been a common theme in my work for many years, and I'm especially fascinated with the more absurd manifestations of this relationship. I am beginning to explore the possibilities of taxidermy as the "ultimate" trophy, whether it be the spoils of the hunter, or the spoils of merely having reached a certain level of power or accomplishment. Art, in itself, is a trophy. In the context of my work, nature becomes art, and therefore, trophy.

My aim is to push the boundaries of what taxidermy means to us. Taxidermy as natural history study or display of hunter's booty is valid in it's own right, but what are its boundaries? Can taxidermy become furniture or decoration? Can taxidermy remind us of our impending mortality? Can taxidermy tell a story? Can taxidermy show us who we are as a culture? Who we've become? Why are we so afraid of death, something so natural and so inevitable, and why do we make such an attempt to hide it? Can death be.... beautiful?

IMPORTANT NOTE: I view wildlife as our most precious and important renewable natural resource, and actively support conservation efforts. My work is the ultimate in recycling. I use animals harvested as nuisances due to overpopulation, which prevents disease and starvation, stillborn animals that never had a chance at life, and animals harvested for meat by hunters who have donated the hides. I refuse furs from fur farms, nor do I hire anyone to kill an animal so that I can incorporate it into my work. I do not work with endangered animals and observe all Federal, State and local laws. My practices are extremely ethical, and I am truly an animal lover.