Karen Nemes is a cheerful subversive based in South Bend,  Indiana. Her passions include rogue taxidermy, social justice activism, and punk music. Her work is produced under the studio name “La Grotesquerie.”

​All animals used by La Grotesquerie are ethically sourced. The majority are made from reclaimed rodadkill that Karen collects, cleans, and repurposes into unique characters. No animals are killed for the creation of these pieces.

Karen is an award-winning artist, placing second at the 2015 Baltimore Taxidermy Open, first at the 2016 Philadelphia Alt Taxidermy Competition, winning “Most Whimsical” at the 2016 Baltimore Taxidermy Open, and taking second place at the 2017 Baltimore Taxidermy Open.

Claudia A. Maslowski, Juror for Northern Indiana Artists, Inc. describes her work this way:

“Karen Nemes creates sculpture using taxidermy techniques and mixed media. The animal remains incorporated into the sculpture become not only a tribute to the life that once shared the earth with us, but a lifelong work of art that tells a story.

Each story will be written by the viewer, who will ultimately develop a personal relationship with the animal portrayed in the sculpture. Karen’s techniques are amazing, seldom seen in the development of such sensational sculpture.”