Gouldian Finch Halo
This piece is part of a series of works depicting animals framed by the ring or halo, calling to mind the separation and fluidity of the lines we draw between what is “natural” and “unnatural”. The brass ring morphs into a delicate sculpted branch, teeming with preserved moss and handmade miniature paper flowers reminiscent of Purple Coral Pea flowers (found in Australia, the native home of these finches). The way we frame nature and history has always fascinated me. Often we feel “history” means waiting for, or recovering from, a momentous event. The pace of progress can leave us feeling hopeless, apathetic, or numb.
After having the pleasure of being connected to Art Ledger, the first African-American taxidermist in the United States to own and operate a private taxidermy business and school, I was reminded that history is the sum of our daily actions. History is embodied in everyone one of us. Art lived through the Civil Rights Era, and is a Vietnam War Vet who has practiced taxidermy in Cleveland, OH for over 40 years. At over 80 years old, he had the vivacity of someone decades younger on our call! I learned that he helped found the Ohio Taxidermy Association, and is known by his neighbors for planting community gardens, rescuing animals, and spreading joy through a love of wildlife. His shop is in the International Village neighborhood, whose residents consist of refugees and immigrants from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and South America-truly worldwide! Retirement has not been an absolute for Art - he plans to continue giving back by transforming his shop into The International Village Wildlife Museum, an educational resource and a unique experience accessible to anyone looking for a curious adventure. I had yet to learn of a Black-owned natural history museum in the US, so was especially eager to help preserve Art’s legacy!
This piece was made to fundraise for Art’s museum in February 2021. It was offered alongside works by Brooke Weston, Oracle KC, Half Embalmed/Simone Smith, Dark Interiors, and Robert Marbury. Over the 2 weeks, the we raised $4215 for the International Village Wildlife Museum, and with an added a personal donation, we made it to $5000 of their their initial $10,000! The group was then approved for an IOBY campaign which matches funds, so our $5000 turned into $8000! (You can see the current campaign here.) This was an example of how a community can come together and give back.
Learn more about Art Ledger in this blog post with links to more articles about him, and you can watch a video of him here.
