- Artists, designers, illustrators and photographers incorporate animals as subject matter in their work.
- Rafael Mantesso turned to art as a mechanism to cope with depression.
- “There are lots of contemporary artists out there doing dog-themed artwork.”
A delightful and unique exhibition inspired by dogs that opens a wide range of artistic creative possibilities, from playful and whimsical to evocative and reflective. It is intriguing to witness artists, designers, illustrators and photographers who incorporate animals as subject matter in their work. Jannie Parrish who conceived the idea for the exhibition called A Dog’s Life said, “There are lots of contemporary artists out there doing dog-themed artwork.”
The 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe is a great venue for showcasing diverse work. One of the most phenomenal artists featured was Sophie Gamand, a French artist based in America. Miss Parrish said, “She makes paper flower crowns, which she puts on pit bull dogs and then photographs them. These are homeless pit bulls in shelters, and she’s been instrumental in finding home (for them).”
Rafael Mantesso, a Brazilian artist featured in the exhibition, turned to art as a mechanism to cope with depression following his divorce. He started creating illustrations around his bull terrier, Jimmy Choo, in his all-white apartment. This creative project not only helped him recover but also led him to instagram fame, gaining the attention of many with his imaginative and heartfelt artwork. Miss Parrish explained, “He has an all-white flat and he ended up drawing pictures around the dog, illustrations. And then he became an Instagram sensation.” The exhibition also showcases ceramics by Martha Todd, which dives into people’s fascination with dressing up their dogs. Further, David Shrigley, a British artist known for his cartoon-style doodles and sketches, has contributed his distinctive work to the collection.
