Leah O’Reilly

One for the rat, one for the crow, one to rot and one to grow

The theme of my project is looking at the beauty in death, specifically dead creatures and finding a way to display them that is more palatable and pleasing using taxidermy. The current taxidermy mounts I have – a hooded crow, a jackdaw and a rat – are all animals that have similar symbolic meanings, revolving around death, representing bad omens and having links to witchcraft or otherworldly meanings.

Title Notebook Page

Title Notebook Page

Two Headed Rat Taxidermy

Two Headed Rat Taxidermy

Dead Bird Embroidery + Wanda

Dead Bird Embroidery + Wanda

Winston (Taxidermy Jackdaw)

Winston (Taxidermy Jackdaw)

Rat Skull in Dome

Rat Skull in Dome

Wanda (Taxidermy Hooded Crow)

Wanda (Taxidermy Hooded Crow)

Bertha (Taxidermy Rat) in Pink Coffin

Bertha (Taxidermy Rat) in Pink Coffin

Taxidermy Hooded Crow on Deer Skull

Taxidermy Hooded Crow on Deer Skull

Final Open Studios Set Up

Final Open Studios Set Up