While my cat doesn’t like her, jewellery designer cum taxidermist Julia Deville is one fine specimen. Her work mixes animal remnants (kittens, mice, bats and birds) with precious materials such as gold, diamonds, black pearls and the very mysterious jet. But before you get all PETA on her ass, it should be noted that Julia doesn’t kill or harm any animals to satisfy her creative urge. Whether she finds them in a pet shop freezer (like her infamous mouse brooch with diamond eyes) or people donate the specimens, Julia remains a self-confessed mortalist – preferring to inspire people to contemplate their mortality in a positive way. And that’s dead cool.
juliadeville@optusnet.com.au or visit e.g.etal in Melbourne, 167 Flinders Lane