Two artist-taxidermists, Ferry van Tongeren and Jaap Sinke, have opened the Art Zoo Museum in a restored canal house in Amsterdam, in partnership with the Vrije Academie cultural education institute. The museum, opening on 26 June, is described as a "modern wunderkammer"—a contemporary cabinet of curiosities—featuring taxidermied animals that died natural deaths, arranged in surreal poses alongside preserved flowers and ornate interiors. Van Tongeren, a former advertising agency owner who retrained as a taxidermist, gained international fame after he and Sinke sold their first collection to Damien Hirst in 2016. Their collective is named Darwin, Sinke & Van Tongeren, reflecting the influence of Charles Darwin.
The museum matters because it represents a fusion of historical collecting traditions, contemporary art, and taxidermy, challenging the sterile white-cube gallery model by placing artworks in a richly classical environment. It also highlights the growing recognition of taxidermy as an artistic medium, especially given the involvement of a major contemporary artist like Damien Hirst. The project underscores ongoing interest in hybrid spaces that blend natural history, art, and immersive experience, appealing to collectors and audiences seeking novel cultural destinations.