Born in Ireland, Shauna Richardson is a UK-based crochet artist with a background in conceptual art, specializing in a type of crochet art she has coined as ‘crochetdermy.’
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As the name suggests, ‘crochetdermy’ is a form of crochet designed to look like taxidermy and is a great word that describes a type of crochet art that a lot of hobbyists dabble in.
Here are some of Richardson’s incredible works of art along with a bit about the artist herself.
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About Crochet Artist Shauna Richardson
Shauna Richardson describes her mission on her website as exploring the theory that anything can be art by combining various themes that might be uncomfortable.
She makes large-scale, larger-than-life-size, crochet taxidermy animals on commission and also sells the pieces that she makes in her studio. Pieces can take anywhere from one month to complete to years in the making for some of her more widely known sculptures.
To date, her largest crochet project was in 2012 for The Olympics in London. This massive sculpture is three larger-than-life lions that are contained within a custom-built glass box the size of an 18-wheeler.
Shauna learned to crochet as a child from her grandmothers, although it wasn’t until much later that she began making it the primary medium of her conceptual art.
Shauna has had her work in numerous group shows as well as several solo exhibits including a show at Anthropologie in Rockefeller Center in New York and also the Chelsea Flower Show, both in 2014.
1. Wild Boar
Wild Boar
Currently available for purchase from her website, this wild boar head is such a good example of how life-like Richardson's work appears.
Between the snout, tusks and realistic eyes, it takes keen observation to notice that this boar head is made with mohair from crochet.
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2. 1522 – BEARS ARE BORING
1522 – BEARS ARE BORING
Currently on exhibit at the Royal Academy in the UK, this bear skin is the exact size and shape of a polar bear.
3. Lionheart Project
Lionheart Project
Featured in the 2012 Olympics that were hosted in London, these three giant lions were a collaboration between Shauna and the Lionheart Project. They are the largest crochet sculptures to date and are incredible pieces of art. Learn more about them on the the Lionheart Project Website.
4. Bremen Musicians
Bremen Musicians
Inspired by The Brother's Grim classic fairytale "The Bremen Musicians" this is just one example of Shauna's creativity in creating sculptures that tell a story.
5. Bojo
Bojo
Called Bojo by the creator herself, Shauna created this life-sized gorilla to resemble former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
6. Prince Harry
Prince Harry
Richardson also created an orange orangatang commissioned by the Guardian Weekend Magazine as an "Unofficial Portrait" of Prince Harry.
7. Bulldog
Bulldog
Richardson's work is so beautiful and takes incredible focus and skills. The way she is able to recreate life-like animals out of fiber and hook is so talented and remarkable.
Your work is a work people should sit up and applaud.. I know how long it takes to finish a simple project but what you put into it is a masterpiece. I love the mountain lion then I discovered the gorilla. I spent the afternoon in the Pgh zoo studying the gorilla one day and I see the muscles and movements most don’t. I have 16 cats lost 4 I believe to mold but everyone tells me I’m seeing things, God will show them, anyhow when you sit with your cats you learn cat movements, also again at Pgh zoo before the lions were moved out of metal cages for Some reason a lioness looked at me and charged. I remember those muscles.
Again a true artist. A talent given to you by God Himself, never believe anything different.