Animalia
Wildlife group show
With works depicting meticulously rendered portraits, captivating settings and impeccable technique, Animalia at Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorado, provides a glimpse into the many wonders of the animal kingdom.
“Humans have a long-standing history of fascination, curiosity, companionship and admiration when it comes to their interactions with the animal world,” the gallery says of
the show, on view from August 10 to 31. “We transpose our emotions and responses onto [animals] to comprehend what can’t be communicated. In this exhibition, meditations on animals, our perceptions of them, how they affect us, and more, are brought about by a myriad of artists.”
As diverse as the animal kingdom itself is the group of artists represented in the exhibition. “This well-rounded group of artists comes from various backgrounds and locations, each armed with a unique sense and perspective on the subjects they portray,” says the gallery. Featured artists include Dina Brodsky, Phoenix Chan, Morgan Cameron, Jon Ching, Marina Dieul, Shelli Langdale, Dana Hawk, Cody Jimenez, Deb Komitor, Lindsey Kustusch, Gina Matarazzo, Patrick Maxcy, Ryan Morse, Jess Wathen, Elsa Sroka, Jess Wathen, Michele Kortbawi Wilk, Zane York and more.
“Animal stories have always fascinated me,” shares Kortbawi Wilk. Her work, Tricksters, was inspired by Native American trickster tales, in which coyote and raven were often depicted. “Capturing personality, sensibility and expression are significant when creating my paintings,” she adds.
In Introspection by Langdale, a white horse is framed by dozens of floating balloons. “A narrative about reciprocity, Introspection celebrates the ephemerality of relationships, with their inescapable affections and morbidity,” says the artist. “It was created in response to an emotional journey, arriving near an end with a sense of melancholic peace.”
Wathen’s acrylic Not Alone presents an illuminated red fox, its surroundings undisclosed. “I typically like to create images with an air of mystery,” he explains. “This image has a dreamy quality yet the subject appears alert—looking to discover what eludes it. Consider how a subtle curiosity can inspire understanding and clarity. As it looks on, we do too.”