The Stuffing of Legend

To many Londoners, stuffing dead animals might seem a bizarre hobby. But it’s the subject of the Horniman Museum’s new exhibition, Memorial. A Tribute to Taxidermy, which is showcasing the work of ‘ethical taxidermist’ Jazmine Miles-Long until Thursday 1 May. 

We discovered the truth from Ms. Miles-Long about her unconventional craft… 

What is ‘ethical taxidermy’? “I only work with animals that have died from natural causes like car accidents, old age or illnesses rather than hunting. Many assume that all taxidermy animals were murdered, so the word ‘ethical’ lets me say that’s not true.” 

How did you start out? “By chance, really – I volunteered at the Booth Museum of Natural History in 2007, ended up having a go at taxidermy with the curator’s help and loved it!” 

What makes a good taxidermist? “To be a good taxidermist you must love animals to understand their behaviour and movement. I do feel emotionally attached but this gives me more drive to represent the animal beautifully.” 

Do screen portrayals of taxidermists like Psycho’s Norman Bates frustrate you? “Taxidermy is often portrayed as cruel and ‘weird’, but through my work I aim to change perceptions, showing it’s a skilled, respectful craft that lets us get close to nature in a way we can’t in the wild.”

#Tom #Short