Elasmo-Morph

Prior to 72AD, an architect in Rome, walking along the beach picked up a dried up shark vertebra, and fascinated by its structure, took it to Vespasian and suggested he build an amphitheatre in that shape. Surely, the similarities are too similar! #elasmomorph #sharkvertebrae

Next level Marlin skull. Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, I have had this bad boy in my studio for the past 3 years. It’s his moment of glory very soon, due to be finally completed by the end of the week. Then the logistics of shipping it back to the client in WA

Neonate Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), being prepared as a skeleton mount. At 712mm, these sharks have a membrane over the teeth, presumably to avoid injuring the mother whilst in utero.The Tiger shark gives birth to live young and can carry between 11-80 pups at a time

@BlanfordLaw Pretty much dissection 101. Once most is removed, the rest can then be slowly excised with scalpel and fine surgical scissor work.

@simondema How do you remove the flesh from the skeleton?

@simondema your work is amazing

Working on a beautiful skeleton mount of a Wobbegong shark. I have articulated this differently as I retained the beautiful patterns on the fins. Total length is 2.15 metres (7.053feet) #elasmomorph #sharkskeleton #wobbegong

@coelacant99 Off Sydney, Australia

@simondema Where was this caught?

And another project. An incredible specimen of an Oarfish (Regalecus glesne) caught as a by-catch. Known as the King of Herrings, this species has been recorded at up to 11 metres (36ft) in length and weighing up to 272kg (660lbs). Length of this one is 1487mm total length.

@BustamLucho These came from a variety of sharks ranging from around 1.2 metres up to 3.3 metres

“The Transformation”. Say hello to my little friend….758mm wide x 650mm high #elasmomorph #whiteshark #sharkjaws

@RogueGeneticist Yes, they are. They form the spinal column.

@simondema They are round?!?

Architecturally breathtaking shark vertebrae

@ArtOfMaquenda They are called branchiostegal rays, and they support the membrane below the gill plates, increasing the efficiency of water over the gills

@simondema Absolutely stunning work!! Wow!! May I ask what those spikes are at the lower jaw? I haven't seen them on a tuna before

An enormous 120kg tuna, made into a skull mount with pectoral fins attached. It’s taken a little over a year to ensure all the oil and grease was out of it. These skulls are challenging to say the least, however the results speak for themselves #elasmomorph #fishskulls #tuna

@GaelCasart Neural canals and nerve openings

@simondema What are those little holes in the vertebrae ?

Friday Mako madness #elasmomorph #makoshark #sharkskull

Why do I suddenly feel like those doctors who remove ear wax from patients, and wonder how the Hell they managed to get so much in there! #elasmomorph #hammerhead #sharkskulls

“Elvis” the 90kg Marlin, ready for the big road trip up to Newcastle (NSW) this morning #elasmomorph #fishskulls #marlin

A new project I have been working on now for about 2 months now. A full skeleton mount of a 3 metre Wobbegong shark, where I have preserved the skin on the fins to show how beautiful their pattern is #elasmomorph #sharkskeleton #wobbegongshark #wobbegong

One down… another one to go #elasmomorph #tuna