Went down to Other Criteria on Thursday night for the Launch of Polly Morgan’s latest project – Still Birth. Produced especially for the store, the series consists of preserved chicks, suspended by coloured balloons, contained in bell jars. They are truly beautiful and the way the moment of death and feeling of suspension are captured is a testament to Polly’s skill in her craft.

She came to taxidermy through her fascination with death and nature and she is credited with updating and invigorating the practice. The contemporary feel to her work is due to the fact that she doesn’t attempt to recreate the animal in its natural environment but more so preserve them at the point of death. In doing this she extends the time between death and decay, turning the cadaver into something of fleeting beauty.

Get down to Other Criteria and check out the work before it gets snapped up, sure not to hang around long. If I had a spare £2,650 I’d definitely buy one. More images after the jump…