Taxidermy Art: A Rogue's Guide to the Work, the Culture, and How to Do It Yourself

by Robert Marbury

Overview

In this collection of taxidermy art, you’ll find a winged monkey with a fez and a martini glass, a jewel-encrusted piglet, a bionic fawn, and a polar bear balancing on a floating refrigerator. Author Robert Marbury makes for a friendly (and often funny) guide, addressing the three big questions people have about taxidermy art: What is it all about? Can I see some examples? and How can I make my own? He takes readers through a brief history of taxidermy (and what sets artistic taxidermy apart) and presents stunning pieces from the most influential artists in the field. Rounding out the book are illustrated how-to lessons to get readers started on their own work, with sources for taxidermy materials and resources for the budding taxidermist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781579655587
Publisher:	Artisan
Publication date:	09/23/2014
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	219,950
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Robert Marbury is the director and cofounder of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. He is a multidisciplinary artist working in fabric, photography, and fur, and in addition to creating his own art, he launched the taxidermy bienniel at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles and currently co-hosts and judges the annual Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest in Brooklyn. Marbury lives in Baltimore and lectures internationally on rogue taxidermy.

Robert Marbury is the author of Taxidermy Art.

Editorial Reviews

09/01/2014
Marbury, director and cofounder of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists, has compiled a history, how-to, and onlooker’s guide to roadkill art. The result is a collection of 100 works from taxidermy artists worldwide, along with a history of the craft and its edgy pioneers and do-it-yourself instructions, which start with a “squirrel lesson” that uses dead creatures. When the what-you-will-need section begins with “squirrel carcass,” it is obvious this is no tulle-and-glue-gun craft guide. The catalog has similarly riveting and revolting entries, including, among others, Rod McRae’s Crying Loud in the Age of Stupid, which shows a baby polar bear poised on a partially submerged refrigerator, and the Beaver Eating Human Thumb by Scott Bibus, whose work Marbury describes as having a “gleeful, mischievous tone... such as a squirrel disemboweling itself.” If nothing else, guests around the coffee table will have plenty to talk about when they see the crucified parrot Iesus Nazarenus. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

The crucified parrots, winged foxes, and martini-sipping monkeys in this wild and wonderful bestiary of a book suggest that there is something deeply strange afoot in our culture—and we ought to pay attention.” 
—Joshua Foer, New York Times bestselling author of Moonwalking with Einstein

“So appalling, funny, grotesque, weirdly charming, and highly informative that even I was creeped out. Necrophilia or beauty? You be the judge!”
—John Waters

“Darkly beautiful and fascinatingly disturbing.  I recommend.”
—Jenny Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)

“Robert Marbury is a mad genius.”
—Diablo Cody, Academy Award–winning screenwriter of Juno

“It’s only fitting that one of the driving forces behind Rogue Taxidermy should be the first to showcase it as no one else has. Robert Marbury’s book isn’t just instant gold—it’s gold for the long haul.”
—James Taylor of Shocked and Amazed!

“The ultimate book on contemporary guerrilla taxidermy.”
—Dr. Petra Lange-Berndt, University College London

“Marvellously macabre.” 
—The Bookseller (UK)

“Eye-popping and informative.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A truly interesting read, rife with intriguing history, talented artists, memorable images.”
—BookPage
 
“Marbury has compiled the first modern taxidermy bible.”
—Largehearted Boy

“A well-curated look at a fascinating artistic movement that challenges viewers to confront death and decay, and maybe turn it into something fantastical.”
—New YorkDaily News
 
“Beautiful.”
—Baltimore City Paper
 
“For those on your holiday shopping list who don’t need another necktie or scarf and possess an interesting sense of humor, I’d like to propose Robert Marbury’s Taxidermy Art.”
—Wall Street Journal
 

From the Publisher

“The crucified parrots, winged foxes, and martini-sipping monkeys in this wild and wonderful bestiary of a book suggest that there is something deeply strange afoot in our culture—and we ought to pay attention.”
—Joshua Foer, New York Times bestselling author of Moonwalking with Einstein

“So appalling, funny, grotesque, weirdly charming, and highly informative that even I was creeped out. Necrophilia or beauty? You be the judge!”
—John Waters

“Darkly beautiful and fascinatingly disturbing. I recommend.”
—Jenny Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)

“Robert Marbury is a mad genius.”
—Diablo Cody, Academy Award–winning screenwriter of Juno

“It’s only fitting that one of the driving forces behind Rogue Taxidermy should be the first to showcase it as no one else has. Robert Marbury’s book isn’t just instant gold—it’s gold for the long haul.”
—James Taylor of Shocked and Amazed!

“The ultimate book on contemporary guerrilla taxidermy.”
—Dr. Petra Lange-Berndt, University College London

Various

12/01/2014
Know anyone who is a road-kill collector? Vintage taxidermy aficionado? Artist, photographer, and vegan taxidermist Marbury's tome is probably something you need to give to that friend. The author, who along with Sarina Brewer and Scott Bibus cofounded the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists (MART) in 2004, documents his (and their) love of taxidermy and the artists who work in the medium, if you can call it that. The book gives a quick history of the practice and its Minnesota revival, along with an extensive DIY guide covering safety, sourcing animals, stuffing, and documenting your work, plus several "lessons" for those who want to try their hand at preserving a squirrel or a bird. The DIY guide also addresses tanning and wet preservation, otherwise known as preserving things in jars. The art section of the book is extensive; Marbury presents work and artists' statements from many more international practitioners than one would ever have thought were working with taxidermy, and many in ways not at all traditional but very fascinating. The art varies from animalistic to complete fantasy and is photographed beautifully in full color. VERDICT Perfect for road-kill collectors, hipsters, and art lovers.—Amelia Osterud, Carroll Univ. Lib., Waukesha, WI

Library Journal