DOG-INSPIRED art from around the world is coming to the region this weekend in a major exhibition.
Called A Dog’s Life, the exhibition will open at Kirkleatham Museum, near Redcar on Saturday 8 March and will feature the work of artists, designers, illustrators, sculptors and photographers.
There will also be fun interactives opportunities for visitors including a chance see themselves as a (digital) dog and an area where visitors can display their own photos and drawings of their canine pets.
The exhibition at Kirkleatham also has a thoughtful side as it explores the intense bond between humans and dogs.
It comes to the area as Redcar and Cleveland continues to build a reputation as one of the most welcoming areas of the country for dog-lovers and their pets. The number of cafes, restaurants, venues becoming officially dog-friendly has more than doubled in the last two years.
Councillor Carrie Richardson, Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture, is a life-long dog-lover and owns three dogs. She said: “This is an exciting exhibition which shows how Kirkleatham Museum is an important venue capable of attracting internationally renowned artists. There’s a really fun side with plenty of interactive ways to get involved. But there’s a serious point to it too. Dogs have been a wonderful part of human existence for thousands of years our relationship is explored in this fascinating exhibition by truly wonderful artists. I’m proud that Redcar and Cleveland is becoming so well-known as welcoming to dog owners and their pets.”
Dogs will be allowed into the exhibition space on Wednesdays and Saturdays (although NOT the rest of the museum) and dogs on leads are always welcome in the museum grounds. The museum café, The Café at Kirkleatham, is dog-friendly.
Internationally-renowned artists displaying their work include:
- Brazilian artist, Rafael Mantesso, uses photography and illustration to create imaginary scenes around his beloved bulldog, Jimmy Choo, who was named after his ex-wife’s favourite shoe designer. These images became an overnight Instagram sensation and Kirkleatham Museum is pleased to be able to show nine of Rafael’s humorous images in this exhibition.
- Sophie Gamand, a French artist and photographer living in Los Angeles, makes flower crown for Pit Bull rescue dogs. She photographs these dogs wearing their crowns and the resulting images are posted on social media and have helped to find homes for hundreds of homeless dogs throughout the USA.
- Sophie Ryder, will be showing a bronze sculpture entitled Dancing Dogs, along with a stunning portrait of one of her dogs. Sophie graduated from the Royal Academy in 1986 and was the youngest student since JMW Turner. Whilst studying there, Sophie was the only student allowed to have her dog on site. This was because her canine companion, named Bear, was her model.
- London-based artist, Martha Todd, has created four ceramic sculptures which explore our obsession with putting clothes on dogs.
- Shauna Richardson has created a life-sized hound using a process she has developed, called Crochetdermy®.
- Gerrard Gethings will be exhibiting 16 pairs of photographs which show dogs and their human look-a-likes.
- Mychael Barratt, will be displaying three prints. In 2002, after visiting a Marc Chagall exhibition, Mychael found himself contemplating what Chagall’s dog would look like. This marked the start of his ‘Artists’ Dogs’ project that is still going strong after over twenty years and more than fifty prints. Mychael takes a well-known artwork and using the same technique and approach as the original artist, skilfully inserts a dog into the picture.
The lottery-backed touring exhibition has been developed by 20-21 Visual Arts Centre with support from North Lincolnshire Council and Arts Council England.
A Dog’s Life will be on display at Kirkleatham from Saturday 8 March until Monday 29 June. The museum, near Redcar, is closed on Mondays. Find out more at the Enjoy Redcar and Cleveland website, call 01642 444600 or email enjoy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Find a list of specially designated areas for dogs – including cafes, hotels and restaurants – in Redcar and Cleveland here: https://redcarcleveland.co.uk/enjoy/dog-friendly-redcar-and-cleveland/