The Dog Artist, Dog Lover and Pet Owner
"DOGMATIC" I guess in many ways
this aptly describes me – and others who love dogs as much as I do. We
who are devoted to our dogs are generally nice people who are baffled by
those who
do not share our passion. Those who have not experienced the
joy and comfort of living with an animal whose sole purpose in life is
to love us no matter what. The one friend who is never too busy, or too
tired, or too preoccupied with their own problems. The only earthly
source of truly unconditional love, in sickness and in health, for
richer or poorer, till death do us part.
There are some who will read that
paragraph and think I’m going overboard, putting dogs above people,
being disrespectful, maybe even downright sacrilegious. But I am, after
all, admittedly dogmatic. I do love dogs and all the good things that
they bring to our lives, and I have never been shy about expressing my
opinion on the subject. I grew up with dogs as members of the family;
more than just pets or even adored and trusted “best friends”. They were
the slightly odd brothers and sisters who didn’t have to go to school
and who were always there to listen to my complaints, hold my secrets,
and comfort me when I cried. They also taught me how to play; how to
take joy in the moment, and how to forgive and forget.
With
all that you’d think this would be a friendly show about the beautiful
relationship between people and dogs, celebrating the dog in all its
glory. No so. I am also a bit pragmatic (read: “practical, realistic,
sensible”). I have seen the other side of this complex relationship.
Cruelty and indifference often results as a by-product of absolute power
and the knowledge that it is easy to cover a crime that most of society
is more than willing to ignore. Animal abuse is the occasional “hot
topic” in the news, and everyone knows it exists, but few are willing to
accept that it might be happening next door. They don’t want to see. I
have taken this opportunity to show just a bit of what I have seen, and
hopefully shine a bit of light into a dark hole.
I have also seen the
backside of my dog when she is ignoring me. I have seen the look in her
eye when she is trying so hard to make me understand something,
convinced that I am really dense, (It must be hard for her to idolize me
as a god and yet realize that I’m so dumb that I can’t understand that
she really, really wants that cookie over there.)
I love dogs. I
understand dogs. I enjoy the company of others who love dogs. I want to
share a little of my childhood fantasies and adult experiences with
those who are willing to take small steps into my world; to play and to
think.
Cheryl Andrews
If you love dogs and are planning to be in the Asheville, NC
area in May, you will want to stop in to see a very unusual art exhibit.
Artist Cheryl Andrews is presenting "Dogmatic" in the Owen Gallery on
the campus of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. With a
blend of humor, satire, and "biting" insight, Cheryl has assembled over
35 of her large and small scale ceramic sculptures and over 130
photographs as part of a 3 year project documenting the lives of dogs in
today's society. The show will be open from May 5th through May 16th.
For more information, call 828-251-6559 or go the the artist's website
at FatDogArt.com
or email: FatDogArt@charter.net
Show
Shots
