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Discarded clothing transformed into dead animal carcasses by Tamara Kostianovsky

For her series Actus Reus, New York City-based artist Tamara Kostianovsky recreated dead animal carcasses out of discarded fabric and clothing, turning the harshness of slaughtered livestock into plush, easier to visually swallow cuts of meat.

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Two fabric sculptures resembling animal carcasses hang from chains on a metal bar, crafted from discarded striped and patterned textiles with cream-coloured wool padding

Using hooks and chains to display her butchered pieces, each grotesque fabric sculpture looks only too like the real thing. Tamara said: "My intention is to confront the viewers with the real and grotesque nature of violence, reflecting the vulnerability of our physical existences."

Tamara’s work has been widely exhibited both nationally and internationally, in solo and group shows, and she has won many awards. Born in Jerusalem, Israel and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tamara was educated at the National School of Fine Arts of Buenos Aires and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. She is currently a faculty member at the School of Visual Arts and a lecturer at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Discover more at tamarakostianovsky.com.

Via Artnau | All photographs courtesy of Sol Aramendi

Fabric sculpture resembling a butchered animal carcass in shades of burgundy, pink and white, suspended from hooks and chains against a white gallery wall
Fabric sculpture resembling a butchered animal carcass suspended from a hook and chain, made from layered cream, burgundy and black textiles with visible stitching and torn edges
A textured fabric sculpture resembling a cross-section of raw meat, with layered cream, terracotta and dark red fabrics creating the illusion of flesh and bone from Tamara Kostianovsky's Actus Reus series
Three fabric sculptures resembling animal carcasses in red and cream, suspended from chains in a gallery space as part of Tamara Kostianovsky's Actus Reus series
Three fabric sculptures resembling animal carcasses suspended from chains, crafted from discarded textiles with handwritten numbers, part of Tamara Kostianovsky's Actus Reus series
Fabric sculpture resembling a butchered animal carcass in white, cream and deep red tones, suspended from a metal hook and chain attached to a grey bracket on a white wall
Red and white fabric sculpture resembling a severed animal limb, suspended from a metal hook and chain against a concrete wall
Six fabric sculptures resembling animal carcasses hanging from a metal rod by chains, part of Tamara Kostianovsky's Actus Reus series
Five fabric sculptures resembling butchered meat carcasses suspended from hooks and chains, created from discarded clothing and fabric by Tamara Kostianovsky
Tamara Kostianovsky's fabric sculpture resembling a slaughtered animal carcass, with cream and burgundy textiles hung from a metal hook and bracket
Two fabric sculptures resembling animal carcasses with burgundy and pink patterned textile hang from chains on a metal bar against a white wall
Fabric sculpture of a butchered animal carcass in red and white striped sections, suspended from a metal chain attached to a dark bracket against a neutral background
Fabric sculpture suspended from a hook resembling a carcass of meat, made from layered red, white and beige discarded textiles with cut-out details by Tamara Kostianovsky
White gallery space displaying Tamara Kostianovsky's fabric sculptures resembling animal carcasses hung from chains and hooks on the walls
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