# Rotting Bird Art Kelly McCallum's Show at the New York Gallery Will Gross You Out By Christina Butty | Published 2009-07-17 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelly-mccallums-show-new-york-gallery References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2009/07/15/recent-work-by-kelly-mccallum/) & [kellymccallum](http://www.kellymccallum.com/) Kelly McCallum always pushes the envelope with her [taxidermy artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assemblage-7-lost-and-found-ii). In her latest installation for the [New York gallery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery), Victorian birds are stuffed with watch parts and gold maggots. Kelly McCallum's works aim to explore the [decay and passing of time](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funerary-urn). Though kind of icky upon first inspection, her work is certainly thought provoking and casts life in a different view. **Implications** - Morbid and death-related artworks have a certain pull on audiences that makes the work hard to look away from. In a society that is constantly trying to come up with ways to prolong life and avoid death, seeing a display of the passage of time and decay piques an interest from the crowd, as they try and get a glimpse of the fate they want to avoid. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Morbid Art:** Creating art related to death or decay can attract viewers and initiate discussions about the passage of time. - **Alternative Taxidermy:** Using unusual materials or methods in taxidermy can create unique and eye-catching artwork. - **Shifting Perspectives:** Art that challenges traditional views on life and death can inspire new ways of thinking. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art and Design:** Exploring new ways to create and display art can lead to innovative and disruptive works. - **Taxidermy:** Experimenting with non-traditional techniques and materials in taxidermy can create new opportunities for artists and collectors. - **Museum and Gallery:** Exhibiting controversial and thought-provoking art can attract new visitors and spark conversation in the art world. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/becoming-familiar.md) - [Playful Button-Focused Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beau-mccall.md) - [Futuristic Museum Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unnatural-history-museum-of-singapore.md) - [Futile Material Design Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/please-sit-for-an-alternate-ending.md) - [Sculptural Gallery Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kennedy-yanko.md) - [Intricate Fiber Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/threadwork-women-redefining-fiber-arts.md) - [Bug-Inspired Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murder-hornet-ring.md) - [Paper-Made Mosaic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-architecture-exhibition.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md)