Darwin's Menagerie, Jamb

Mother Nature and her bounty are a never-ending source of subject matter and inspiration. Creative types have been striving to capture and preserve the rich world of flora and fauna around us pretty much since creative types existed. To the contemporary eye, traditional taxidermy may seem like a clumsy effort, but Darwin’s Menagerie at Jamb, London is making us sit up and listen.
By combining their backgrounds in commercial design, studies of the Old Masters of painting and an avid interest in traditional techniques of taxidermy, Sinke & van Tongeren have created a collection of preserved creatures that is both entirely refreshing while smacking of history.
In adding Darwin to their collaborative name and adopting the famous naturalist as their posthumous Executive Director’ the group certainly declares their passion for the natural world. In tandem with Sinke & van Tongeren’s skilful eye for design, this is a truly unique exhibition in which expertly preserved beasts are set amongst gorgeous antiques, organised to amplify their organic beauty.