Episode 124

Divya Anantharaman: Gotham Taxidermy

AB3 sits down with Divya Anantharaman, founder of Gotham Taxidermy. The Brooklyn-based award-winning taxidermist discusses her journey from the fashion industry into the fascinating world of taxidermy, and the legacy she wants to leave behind as a Woman of Color in her unique space.

Episode Highlights

• Divya gives her refreshing opinion on hunting and her experience taking on clients who want her to preserve their animals, from waterfowl to big game.
• Divya talks about the strangest project she was ever given, as well as the animals she finds most challenging to preserve.
• They talk about being “ambassadors of our culture” as they journey to other countries.
• Sonya and Necota talk about their event, The Gathering, which brings together the Black and Brown communities to learn more about and appreciate all things camping and the outdoors.

3 Key Points

• If you’re looking to get into taxidermy, find one animal that you’re passionate about and focus on learning all you can about recreating that animal until you’ve mastered it. Then move onto the next—expand your skillset further.
• A skilled taxidermist like Divya can preserve your pet; but, it’s important to set the right expectations. They can do a lot, but they will never be able to replace the relationship you had with your animal.
• Now that Divya has experienced a lot of personal success in what she does, her next mission is one of outreach—to bring more education, accessibility, and diversity into the field of taxidermy.

Three Powerful Quotes

• What bigger expression of love and appreciation for an animal than recreating it—turning it into this other form of itself. ~Divya
• At the root of it, when you go outside, you’re appreciating nature. That nature is a little sparrow or a big deer or an alligator. If you’re appreciating it, that’s really what the outdoors is all about. ~Divya
• With taxidermy, we’re always surrounded by death; so, I’m always thinking about what I’m going to leave behind. ~Divya

Resources Mentioned

Bryant Land Show:  https://bryantlandcountry.com/the-bryant-land-country-podcast/

Gotham Taxidermy: https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com | Facebook | Instagram

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