Madrid based photographer Miguel Vallinas Prieto began his ‘Second Skins’ series with the intention of ‘investigating the animal in us all’. This whimsical photo series sees various animals dressed in contemporary outfits, posing as typical human models would. The clothes appear to match their personalities, acting as a true second skin. Unsurprisingly, Miguel didn’t actually wrestle a roll-neck onto a swan or sweet-talk a hippopotamus into donning a Barbour. The taxidermied specimens are photographed in various museums and private collections, while each outfit is modelled by volunteers in Miguel’s studio. The two images are then spliced together by the artist.
"Miguel's 'Second Skin' series is truly eye-catching. Through his incredible attention to detail, these photographs have a strange realistic effect. The links between the animal heads and human bodies are seamless, as is Miguel's attention to linking the animals' characteristics or features to the human body. These works have an admirable understated wit and charm."
"Miguel's 'Second Skin' series is truly eye-catching. Through his incredible attention to detail, these photographs have a strange realistic effect. The links between the animal heads and human bodies are seamless, as is Miguel's attention to linking the animals' characteristics or features to the human body. These works have an admirable understated wit and charm."