Life after death: The art of taxidermy
The art and science of preservation is entering the mainstream in Singapore. What's behind the allure of insect and animal carcasses?
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A MONKEY skull rests among an assortment of bones on a glass shelf, next to bats suspended in liquid, and the skeletal remains of snakes and frogs. Across the room, a flurry of iridescent blue cascades within a transparent dome of morpho adonis butterflies. Ducklings, frozen in time, huddle with soft -pink flowers in teacups. The green sheen from a jewel beetle jostles for attention with the wingspan of a rust-brown atlas moth.
Eternally preserved after their demise, the insects and animals are showcased in frames and glass cases. The delicate specimens, some adorned with flowers and crystals, have been immortalised at Black Crow Taxidermy & Art, whose chief taxidermist Vivian Tham turns carcasses into artwork and sentimental keepsakes.
Black Crow Taxidermy & Art appears to be the only entity in Singapore selling preserved specimens and providing a suite of preservation services commercially to the public. It also organises workshops centred around insect pinning, butterfly domes, frames, and the like.
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