Art for Dogs: Escape by John Kuzich

Think dogs can't appreciate art?  John Kuzich's Escape was recently featured in What?, an exhibition curated by Danielle Steele at the Andrea Schwartz Gallery in San Francisco.  Kuzich says, "When the gallery's golden retriever, Tank, saw my art he ran in the
back and got his ball.  He is caught here staring at an actual used
doggie ball on the panel."

What I find especially wonderful about the photo of Tank is that it is the perfect complement to Escape, a piece described by Kuzich as "a  metaphor for the many ways that people escape the various weighty aspects of daily life.
Depending on how intense the issues are – escape behaviors often translate into addictive behavior such as compulsive
cleaning, sports, video games, sex, alcohol, drugs, shopping, collecting, online chat rooms, etc.  The results
of our escape mechanisms can often be destructive, while many are harmless and even productive."  I think loving a dog might be one of the best escapes there is.  Who else is going to nudge that slobbery ball (or in my case a slobbery stuffed hedgehog) into your hand just when need it the most?

Here is a full view of Escape:

And here is a close up:

It took Kuzich over a year of hunting at flea markets, thrift shops, recycling facilities, and on ebay to find the perfect combination of balls.  Like Tank, I think the piece is drool-worthy.

Visit John Kuzich's website to see more of his work.  He is also an exceptional collage artist who recently collaborated with another Dog Art Today favorite, Matthew Rose, on his A Book About Death.

Via SF Appeal.

P.S. It's good to be back.