Afterlife . The Whitaker DEC 2023- MAR 2024

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Afterlife resurrects the Whitaker’s off show taxidermy collection as new dioramas in a temporary ‘swamp heaven’. The show draws together installation, works on paper, music, scent and performance to create a multisensory fantasy wetlands, based on Tingle’s fascination with the habitat and new stories dreamt up from her personal experiences in nature. 

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Inspired initially by the Whitaker’s famous tableaux The Tiger & The Python, these new interventions echo the historic use of taxidermy where unnatural depictions of nature were favoured over scientific accuracy; the diorama has been adopted as a myth making tool. Environmental conversation undersets this new work-  the fabrication of a dream afterworld, based on real living spaces for these dead specimens promotes Tingle’s belief that the idea of ‘heaven’ is already here on earth, in nature, and must be preserved. 

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 This exhibition is made possible by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants.

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Collaborators:

Simon Woolham: Performer (The Frog)

Lucy Haighton: Performer (The Turtle/ The Otter)

Steven Calver: Olfactory Scent Installation

KINRAR: Performer (The Swamp Reaper) / Music and audio installation

Angela Tait: Ceramic Installation

Lewis Lafond: Photography

With thanks to:

Pat Morris: The History of Taxidermy Lecture

Emma Liggins: Guest Speaker

WWT Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust: Education Resources

No Such Thing Records/ Kycker/ Blaudud Flies: Music release and Vinyl 

Fourth Day PR, Striking Displays, G F Smith

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Fourdrinier Review 

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