Man's relationship with animals is complex, based upon necessity, fear, love and awe. For millennia, we have hunted animals or used them for transportation and agriculture. We have worshipped them and welcomed them into our homes as companions. Ever since the first artists learned to draw on cave walls with wet clay, we have made images of them.

Sculptures of cats were found in the tombs of ancient Egypt, paintings of horses were hung next to portraits of kings and queens, birds decorated Greek vases and lions' claws were carved into the feet of Chippendale furniture. Mythical beasts decorated medieval manuscripts, and dogs were commonly painted into Renaissance wedding portraits as symbols of marriage.

Contemporary artists have radicalized the use of animals to address questions about morality, responsibility, our relationship with the natural world and the nature of art itself. British artist Damien Hirst won fame with a sculpture featuring a dead shark immersed in formaldehyde in a glass tank!

Images shown are representative of the works in the special exhibit.

Pictured clockwise from upper right:
Tatarzyn, 'King Penguins' Photograph • Wyeth, '3 Trouts' Floorcloth
Neimanis, 'Queen Bee' Brooch • Hyde, Life-size 'Wolf' Sculpture
Palmer, Ceramic 'Rabbit Jar' • Jacque, 'Honeybee' Lazy Susan

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