Zoe LeonardCarnivores 1992, printed 1997

This is one of a series of black and white photographs of museum displays that Leonard took in the 1980s and early 1990s in the US and Europe. It shows two similar animal pelts hanging from the back of a wall-mounted vitrine under the word ‘CARNIVORES’. The animals are displayed side-by-side, suspended by their forepaws, with their backs to the viewer and their hindquarters and back legs hanging down, nearly touching the bottom of the case. This method of display gives them the appearance of being merely skins; however the three-dimensional volume of their heads and bodies suggest that they have been taxidermised… (read more)