By Taylah Eastwell
Mount Evelyn will host a menagerie of exotic animals at the weekend, with a showcase of the best taxidermists and their stuffed masterpieces set to bring life to the York on Lilydale.
Ran by the Australian Association of Wildlife Artists, the sixth annual competition will see competitors travel to Mount Evelyn from both interstate and international locations, including New Zealand, China, Japan and America.
Organiser and taxidermist Dennis Grundy said this year’s exhibition will showcase about 64 animals and also include an educational aspect.
“We bring out highly skilled world championship judges from America to come and judge our work and run seminars for us to learn better techniques,” he said.
Mr Grundy told the Mail his interest in taxidermy began about 18 years ago.
“It started when my children started hunting with me and we had quite a few animals to get taxidermied. My taxidermist at the time said it was going to cost me an arm and a leg – go do a course,” he explained.
What Mr Grundy learnt in that course began as a hobby and backyard interest, but soon blossomed into a passion.
“When I first started, the first deer I mounted looked like a Labrador with a set of antlers on its head,” he laughed.
Now an award-winning taxidermist, Mr Grundy admits there is a lot of skill involved in creating life-like animals.
“I never knew how to sew anything until I started this. There’s a lot more involved than what people think,” he explained.
According to Mr Grundy, a trade background is essential as taxidermy requires the use of different hand tools, as well as art skills.
“You have to skin the animal out, salt it and then send it off to the tanner to cure the skin. From when the hunter takes the animal it can take up to 12 months until he gets his trophy back.
It involves clay work to pronounce everything on the face of the animal or its muscles and the ability to airbrush.
“It involves ongoing care for the first week before everything starts holding properly after you sew it up. Once it dries out you’ve got to work to fill the gaps and then clean it up with a bit of paint and make-up.
Mr Grundy explained that although taxidermy began as a male-dominated activity, there are a lot of women enjoying it now.
“They’re all extra pedantic. There will be some great work by some ladies at the show.
Mr Grundy admits “a lot of people think taxidermy is all blood, guts and gore” but assures the event is family friendly and attracts family groups each year.
The event will take place on Saturday 22 February from 12pm til 5pm and again on Sunday 23 from 10am to 4pm. Entry is $5 for adults and $10 for families.
