Rachel Denny’s ‘Strange Menagerie’ at Foster White Gallery
Sculptor Rachel Denny imagines a softer side of taxidermy
By Seattle Mag December 2, 2014
This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
There’s something both sweet and foreboding about Rachel Denny’s work—her animal “trophies” bring taxidermy to mind, but instead of fur, fins or feathers, these mounted specimens are clothed in human trappings: cashmere cable-knits, lace tatting, felt, coins and in at least one case, candy wrappers. Her new show, Strange Menagerie, includes a blue-yarn billy goat, a deer head festooned with lamé accents and crystals, and a sequined snake. None of the animals have eyes—the sockets are instead demurely covered in fabric. It’s more palatable that way, which Denny may well understand, having grown up in rural Oregon going hunting with her father and doing embroidery with her mother. She has said she’s interested in how, as a species, we yearn for nature, but are forever domesticating it to our personal tastes. It’s something to consider as you admire the soft curvature and pleasing colors of her work. 12/4–12/31. Times vary. Free. Foster White Gallery, 220 Third Ave. S; 206.622.2833; fosterwhite.com
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