SHAMANIC ROADKILL PHEASANT CAPE – by Alison (Tribal) Brierley – Shamanic Taxidermist and Roadkill Recycler. Completed at NOMADIC VILLAGE 2012 – Project 1 of 3

SHAMANIC ROADKILL CAPE

 

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SHAMANIC ROADKILL CAPE – Made from recycled materials and bronze tipit feathers from the capes of seven Common Ring-necked roadkill Pheasants – 2 years in the making, completed at NOMADIC VILLAGE 2012, modelled beautifully by Visual and Shamanic Artist KATIE SURRIDGE of London.

 (Completed during my artists residency at the Nomadic Village 2012)

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This project began in 2010 following a one month expedition into the Amazon rainforest.

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     Whilst studying anthropology and teaching art workshops in the villages I was greatly inspired by their animistic art forms, especially the shamanic feather work of certain tribes of the Upper Rio Negro region.  I found their love and understanding of the harsh reality of nature very moving.

I was impressed by their sustainable collection techniques.  Instead of killing the birds required for each piece (a technique employed by most societies) these people, deeply in touch with their environment, simply trapped them, plucked a few choice plumes, then released them – enabling the feathers to grow back (and in the process making them harder to catch next time!!).

I wanted to create something similar and sustainable, using feathers from the male pheasant found in the UK. – So I used roadkill (no surprise there then, lol).

Pheasants make excellent animal totems for many reasons.  Their essence stimulates sexuality, encourages creativity, and enhances energy.  Only certain plumes – tipits- picked from the chest area, of seven pheasants in total, were used in the creation of this cape.

As with a lot of my work, I aspire to gently push the viewer, including myself, to question preconceptions and social/cultural taboos by creating something beautiful and compelling from something dead and/or socially repulsive.

Thank you Katie for being my model, I knew you would look beautiful together.

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In 2015 this Shamanic Roadkill Cape ventured into another realm of“Animality”

by artist and photographer Casey Orr

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“WOMEN, ANIMALS, INSTINCT”

 

“The Animal Library – Women, Animals and Instinct” examines how Nature and Culture intertwine and explores the different relationships women have with animals; the cultural understanding of the language of women, the histories of women and nature, and our relationship to animals and our animal selves through photographs and reproduct…ions of the books and library artefacts.

I was photographed along with 10 other women who embody what she hopes to explore and communicate – an understanding of culture as not separate from nature but that the two are intertwined; both integral to a definition what it is to be human.

This photographic exhibition in two parts. The first series explores the different relationships women have with animals. These are large-scale portraits that range from women who align themselves with animals and their inherent powers through the wearing of fur, animal print and leather to women who, through animal husbandry and farm work, have a daily commitment to animals.

The second part of the exhibition is in response to the library collections. This series of large-scale photographs examines our cultural understanding of the language of women, the histories of women and nature, and our relationship to animals and our animal selves through photographs and reproductions of the books and library artefacts.

So, if you want to explore woman’s wild and feral nature, the connection we feel to our culture, Nature, each other and more, pop in and have a look!

1st December – 9th January 2016 – “THE ANIMAL LIBRARY- WOMEN, ANIMALS, INSTINCT” – The venue is in Leeds City Central Library, in the City Centre.

There is a special talk by the artist on the 8th of December, 5.30pm – 6.30pm. The admission is free but you need to register your name for a ticket. Places for the talk are limited. I’ll definitely be going ☺

www.caseyorr.com

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Look out for blogs on my other projects created at Nomadic Village – PLACENTA ART  &  JAPANESE WISHING TREE

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