DOG

We’re pleased to present “DOG” a show inspired by Jessica Poundstone’s newly released book “Museum of Dogs,” which uncovers and compiles centuries of art involving the likeness of dogs. Curated by Amy Rowan.

DOG Show Statement

Several years ago, while looking for interesting vintage frames, I acquired one that included a wonderfully wonky, vintage painting of a dog. After I brought it home and really looked at it, I realized that there had been great care taken in rendering this pup. This wasn’t a painting of just any dog, this was a drawing of a beloved companion — and I could feel it in every brush stroke. Fast forward to last year, when I lost my aunt. I was helping my Dad settle her estate. In her home was a painting of a bulldog that I didn’t remember ever seeing before. Looking closer, I saw the name “Rummy” scrawled on the back, along with the name of the artist, Thomas J. Hayden, my great-grandfather.

Painting beloved pets is as old as painting itself.

The pieces in Jessica Poundstone’s book, “Museum of Dogs: A Romp Through Art History for Dog People,” which inspired this show, were so clearly made with love, by artisans from ancient Egypt to Victorian England. 

For this show, I was secretly hoping they would paint any dog or every dog so there was universal appeal, but their desire to honor their own beloved pooches was too strong — and who could blame them? Many of the real-life versions of the pups you’ll see in this show were wagging their tails while watching their artist-owners make them into beautiful pieces of art. We’re so excited to invite you to meet these wonderful pups, and celebrate the deep companionship between humans and dogs: our beloved friends in art and in life. 

Amy Rowan, Curator (and dog mom to Frida)