Cool Hunting

Those not acquainted with New Zealand-based artist and animal rights activist Angela Singer will soon, after a few glances, see what they've been missing.

While a strident activist against all forms of animal cruelty—including vivisection—much of her recent artwork is made from discarded hunting trophies and other taxidermy that strives to illuminate human exploitive tendencies of the rest of the animal kingdom. It's a chilling effect; these carcasses highlight how grotesque natural beauty can become after suffering at the hands of humanity.

With these past exhibitions with titles like "Brand New Wilderness" featured in this year's Auckland Arts Festival and several provocative showings at the Roger Williams Contemporary gallery in Auckland, the English-born painter is currently one of nearly 50 artists featured in " Existence: Life According to Art" featured now through 14 October at The Waikato Museum in Hamilton on the North Island of New Zealand.

Existence, the art exhibit, is an exploration of the ancient question of sentient existence; Descarte's "I think therefore I am..." being a jumping off point. Singer's contribution with her investigation of the divide between human and animal life is an intriguing compliment to the art world in the Southern Hemisphere.