Aspyn & Jade is a small doll-making business that turns taxidermies of animals found frequently in urban areas (such as raccoons, possums, and foxes) into Victorian porcelain dolls. The animals used in Aspyn & Jade pieces have died at the hands of human activities. Most of them were found as roadkill, while others are byproducts of meat and skin farms.
Caring for these animals posthumously allows Aspyn & Jade to raise awareness of how human consumption activities are endangering the lives of these weird and wonderful creatures. This is why Aspyn & Jade dolls are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Life on Land and Responsible Consumption and Production.
Victorian porcelain dolls were made to embody a romanticized idea of childhood. Propagated by Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth, the Victorian times saw children as pure, innocent, and sweet beings. They needed to be protected from anything too risky, much like the fragile porcelain dolls they were given to play with. By fashioning taxidermied animals into Victorian porcelain dolls, Aspyn & Jade is clearly highlighting the fragile existence of these various species today.
One of the key reasons why it is important to maintain the longevity of these species is because of the fact that biodiversity helps protect humans, plants, and animals alike from diseases. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme also found that declines in biodiversity could cost the business sector over USD 50 billion, a number that exceeds even the economic toll of terrorism. This is why pieces by Aspyn & Jade are important, as they remind their owners and viewers of the connection that they have with these animals who lead lives so close to human beings.
Aspyn & Jade’s unique Victorian porcelain dolls, crafted with parts from taxidermied urban animals, are poignant reminders of the impact that human consumption has on local wildlife. By transforming roadkill and byproducts of meat and skin farms into delicate art pieces, Aspyn & Jade highlight the fragility and importance of these creatures for both the environment and human life.
Find out more about taxidermy animals by Aspyn & Jade and their other initiatives by checking their Instagram at @aspynandjade.