Nature and Culture - animal as object

Deb Mostert explores the objectification of animals | 13 Dec 2024 to 2 Feb 2025

Nature and Culture - animal as object
Deb Mostert | Shrimp Hook Plush Whale | 2023 | oil on canvas | 106 x 80 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

Based on years of observation and research within the bird and mammal collections at the Queensland Museum, this body of work by Deb Mostert seeks to explore the objectification of animals in nature through taxidermy, and in culture through the souvenir. We have, and are creating, facsimiles and profiting from these copies despite the real risk of losing the originals.

Mostert asks "What is our uneasy relationship with animal objects, particularly taxidermy and the mass-produced souvenir? As a self-confessed collector, what is my responsibility in all this? Why do I tend to want to order and display, collect and own the natural world?"

Through mashups of early scientific taxonomy charts and illustrations, museum taxidermy, pop culture and the mass-produced souvenir, this body of work is presented as a contemporary Wunderkammer (a cabinet of curiosity). It asks questions about artifice, collection, consumerism, mimicry, wonder and beauty.

To find out more you can watch our Artist Walk and Talk event here.

LocationEventDate and timeRegistration
Caloundra Regional GalleryExhibitionFriday 13 December 2024 to Sunday 2 February 2025Not required
Caloundra Regional GalleryArtist talk: Deb MostertFriday 13 December, 10.30amStream Event
Caloundra Regional GalleryWorkshop: Everyday nature sketchbooksSaturday 14 December, 9.30am-3.30pmSOLD OUT
Caloundra Regional GalleryKids activity: Come and draw animal objects with usFriday 10 January, 10.00-11.30amSOLD OUT
Caloundra Regional GalleryKids activity: Create a dioramaFriday 10 January, 1.00-4.00pmRegister