Polly Morgan is an artist who has been hugely responsible for the recent revival of interest in taxidermy, an art form more readily associated with the Victorians, hunting trophies, and dusty bell jars. The one-time English Literature graduate and bar manager has set about upsetting those traditions, creating dark, but alluring, pieces that often place her creatures in disorientating environments. 

In her hands, a prone, and obviously lifeless, bird dangles from a string attached to a single red balloon; a white rat can be found filling a champagne glass; and a stag’s belly is filled with tiny bats. As one critic wrote: ‘These animals are not restored to life, but so to speak, resuscitated into their deaths.’ 

Her latest show, entitled How to Behave at Home, opened at London’s Bomb Factory Art Foundation on 14 October 2020 and features snakes which spill out of cast concrete and polystyrene containers. Perhaps signalling a few direction. 

In this episode we talk about: how local nail bars played a vital role in her new pieces; dealing with artist’s block and why she fell out of love with her own work; growing up in the Cotswolds and not going to art school; learning the craft of taxidermy; and being her own worst critic. 

Learn more about Polly at: pollymorgan.co.uk

And learn more about me at: grantondesign.com

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On today's episode of "Hollywood, How Did You Get Here?" Tim sits down with the incredibly talented cinematographer Polly Morgan ASC, BSC. Hailing from the UK, Polly was named by Variety as one of the top 10 cinematographers to watch. You likely know Polly for her work on shows like "Legion" and "Strange Angel" as well as her work on the Natalie Portman film "Lucy in the Sky." Polly is also the cinematographer of the (hopefully) soon to be released John Krasinski film "A Quiet Place II." Enjoy the episode!

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Polly Morgan, Director of Photography ASC, BSC joins us for our second GFP Podcast interview. We really can’t say enough about how thankful we are that Polly opened up us with us GFP Gals, and shared her career trajectory in a mostly male dominated field. 

Polly has worked her way up the ladder by being persistent and a go-getter. She shares her battles with dyslexia during her youth, and her drive to gain control of it from hindering her future. She goes on to share how she pushed forward to accomplish her goals, which landed her a job working as an assistant to Wally Pfister-American Cinematographer on Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” (2010) (who ultimately won an Oscar for his work on that feature) Polly continued to follow her dreams and passions to project her to the next level. 

We hear about her travels out of the England, her time at AFI, love lost, love gained, working while pregnant, returning to work post partum and pumping in scout vans weeks after giving birth to her daughter. “Trying to shoot, pump, keep the milk cold and the mom guilt was tough while being on set for A Quiet Place 2.” Its so refreshing to hear a Career Woman/Mother open up about her experience in an industry where the work is so demanding, and how she has managed to juggle both. Polly’s credits and accomplishments are a clear sign of dedication to her craft. 

She is a Wife, and a Mother of one gal with another little on the way. We hope you enjoy her story:)

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