A few years ago…
as I filleted a Bull (male) Mahi Mahi I was amazed by the physiology. From that day I have become fixated with refining the process of breaking down fish racks in an attempt to reconstruct and transform them into unique works of art. My work is similar to European Taxidermy where the actual bones are used (American taxidermy is characterized by making molds) but differs in the use of mixed media to make a truly unique piece of fish art.
With time I was researching skeleton structures of pelagics (fish who spend their entire lives in the open ocean) who each summer take up residence in the canyons south of Montauk, NY. Lists were created and luckily many check marks have accompanied the species on those lists.
THE PROCESS
THIS SWORDFISH TOOK A YEAR : BREAKING DOWN, DEGREASING, WHITENING, RE-ASSEMBLING, ENCASING IN RESIN
