‘High Tea’ by
Samantha Boyes.
Samantha is an Edinburgh based artist working from her
studio in Morningside.
She rarely exhibits her work as she is nervous of the
response it gets.
Samantha does not kill any animals. They are mainly road
kill. The Puffins in ‘High Tea’ were washed up on the beach. They are juveniles
which starved to death as a result of dramatic changes in weather patterns.
The young female sparrow hawk in the teacup died after
flying into a friend’s window. (A special licence was required to use the
specimen as she is a protected bird of prey).
She has a degree in fine art and studied sculpture and
kinetic sculpture. She has also worked as a stone mason. She took up taxidermy
5 years ago taking initial training from the highly respected taxidermist
George Jamieson.
It has taken some time to develop, but finally she has
combined her sculpture with her skills as a taxidermist.
Many of the cakes you see are made from plaster, foam and
polly filla.
‘High Tea’ took 3 years to make. It takes a long time to
build up a collection of animals and Samantha sourced everything from the
cutlery to cups, saucers and silver wear.
Every animal and insect you see on the table is by law
recorded and documented. There may be a playful element to Samantha’s work, but
the art of taxidermy is a serious business and is heavily regulated. As it
should be.
Samantha probably knows more than most about animals and
wild life, it is essential to have an in depth knowledge and respect for your
subjects as a taxidermist.
I must hop off now, but check back soon for latest news!
