My Work

My fascination with death started from a young age. I wasn't fascinated with death because I liked it, in fact it was quite the opposite, I feared it because I didn't understand it. I think it was the fear that drew me in to learn more, to be able to confront my fear head on and understand exactly what happens when we die. I took every opportunity to learn and study death and decomposition, which intrigued me the most, the stages of death that occur until we are nothing but skeletal remains. Now death inspires me, I fully understand the concept of what happens when we die and instead of letting it scare me I embrace it. It's not because I like death it's because death is guaranteed for each of us one day and when you're gone it's up to those around you to remember you and grieve in their own ways. I have no preference as to what happens to my body when I die only that I would like to be useful. I am an organ donor but feed me to the fauna and give me back to the earth I really don't mind. This is why I create with bones, lives gone, such a shame to waste when you can create something beautiful. Every skull I process is unique in its own way and this is what inspires me. I'm not looking for perfection in the skull I'm looking for individuality which gives character to each animal. 
I don't use bleach or boiling for any of my skulls. Animals are either laid out on my property to decompose as naturally as possible allowing insects and other animals to thrive off the dead because where there is death there is also life and other ecosystems can thrive. I have even had a number of Tasmanian Devils seen on my property and sometimes they'll steal a snack or two but it's always welcomed. Once most of the skin and flesh is gone I macerate them in cold water for a few weeks. The process of cold water maceration allows the breakdown of any remaining tissue due to prolonged exposure to moisture. I add cloudy anomia for the degreasing process to remove any fats and oils still inside the bones. Bones aren't naturally bright white they require more cleaning to give them a white finish without any staining or discolouration they might get from decomposing in or on the earth. Last step before completely drying the bones is a (40vol) hydrogen peroxide bath. This is gentle enough on the bones to give them their clean, white overall finish.