Putris Immoderata by Maevyn Corvid

 Putris Immoderata loosely translated from latin is “Decaying Obsessions”, which is the basis for the death centered idealogy behind artist Maevyn Corvid’s cadaverous creations. Maevyn Corvid is a pseudonym for Northern California based, multi-medium artist. The name is inspired by Irish culture; as well as the artist’s fascination with the Corvidae family of birds (ravens, crows, and magpies.) Always ethically sourced, one of a kind, and hand made.
Not For Everyone.
Maevyn reimagines and recreates some of nature’s most perfect designs with a dark, eerie, and whimisical twist. Creatively manipulating the ineviteable and natural time line; silently following all creatures on the planet, the life span. Creating a continuation of life- reimagined completely. Ideally triggering an emotion or response whether comfortable or not, with the intent of leaving space for conversation surrounding subjects sometimes considered “taboo” in society; life, death, what defines reality, the afterlife or spiritual beliefs, science, mental illness, what distinguishes “man from beast,” western medicine, philosophy, wildlife protection and conservation including predator control, the connection between physical body from one’s brain or true self, organized religion, and the ethics involved with human involvement in nature’s most intimate cycles.
Always exploring new mediums for creative expression. Current focus areas are epoxy/resin work (particularly involving preservation or restoration of organic materials to meet museum quality standards through a variety of self taught techniques), acrylic fluid art, jewelry, pyrography, taxidermy(particularly her collection of one of a kind dolls referred to as “The Family” crafted from vintage, collectible dolls combined with hand processed pelts which are then painstakingly shaped and preserved using a technique I developed myself so they are perfectly preserved with soft fur but able to hold their shape for a lifetime. I then hand craft their outfits, hair, accessories, etc and create truly unique hyper realistic taxidermy eyes modeled after a humans resulting in a truly “one of a kind” piece that can never be exactly replicated.) I have also recently enjoyed working on some projects geared toward home décor/furniture restoration, and immersive, large-scale multimedia pieces. Mostly mixed media using resin, acrylic, as well as found, antique & always ethically sourced organic materials(claws, paws, & everything in between).
When not doing strange and unusual things with dead things, and dolls at her 240 ft “Shed of the Dead”/home…Maevyn can be found hanging out with her dogs, and service goat(in training) pretending it’s Halloween everyday. Working on new projects out of her studio at Idea Fab Labs, or enjoying a chilly night, good beer and music with friends.
Although always having a passion for the arts, particularly the dark and uncomfortable to look at, up until June of 2021 it was always a side lined hobby and small personal collection of oddities. I was finishing my last prerequisites and applying for nursing programs, while working 40+ hours a week at a nonprofit clinic; traveling for work, and training many people in reproductive health care, phlebotomy, etc.
Then the universe stopped me in my tracks with a near death experience, leading to a complete shift of perspective in many arenas of life. I experienced a massive seizure and during the following hospitalization, was diagnosed with a degenerative, genetic, neurological condition. Now coping with a completely different life trajectory than once imagined, relying on a wheelchair/other mobility aids some days, and struggling with the loss of independence and sense of self. I began to make art; which has been a massive distraction, way to work through the medical trauma I experienced, grieve for the life I had imagined for myself, as well as healing form of self expression when things have seemed bleak.
Here at the “Shed of the Dead” we love our furry, and not furry friends. I source ALL of my organic materials(bones, paws, furs, faces…), from what I consider to be very ethical sources and it is of the utmost importance to me. The online resources I source organic materials from, directly contribute to several different Wildlife Rehabilitation, Conservation, and Sustainability Centers. A lot of the paws/fur/pelts/wet specimens are from animals taken by natural causes or vehicular victims. The few items I use outside of those resources are given directly to me, from individual hunters or homesteaders feeding their families, and would otherwise be discarded as they are considered unusable and have no capitalistic value. I have worked hard to develop a network of individuals who feel similarly as I do regarding the beauty that can be found in “waste”. I am diligent about checking out my resources regularly to ensure I feel comfortable with their ethics, regarding animal welfare and wildlife sustainability. I also source much of my taxidermy second hand and refurbish or reuse for new creations.
If you have absolutely any questions about where something specific comes from, please feel free to reach out! I am most easily reached through email or on instagram @putris.immoderata and would love to hear from you if you have any questions, or would like to reach out for any reason. Thanks so much! Studio tours will be available both OSAT weekends hosted out of Idea Fab Labs where we invite you to come see our amazing maker space, enjoy some refreshments/activities, and meet myself and several other local artists. Hope to see you there.