Free Family Art Exhibition Celebrates Our Love of Dogs – Coming to Harley Gallery

A Dog’s Life will be on show at the Harley Foundation, Nottinghamshire from 12 July until 21 September 2025. This free-entry art exhibition is a witty, tail-wagging celebration of our canine companions – exploring how our pets can become muses, collaborators and inspiration for art. Our love of dogs has long been part of British culture, and today they’re more pup-ular than ever, with over 12 million dogs living in UK households. A Dog’s Life brings together the work of artists, designers, illustrators and photographers from around the world who all find creative inspiration in man’s best friend. Perfect for visitors of all ages, the exhibition features over 100 artworks – from life-sized crochet sculptures to children’s book illustrations to traditional oil paintings. Visitors may also recognise artworks by well-known artists including Sophie Ryder, William Wegman and David Shrigley.

Highlights include:

• Rafael Mantesso uses photography and illustration to create imaginary scenes of his bull terrier Jimmy Choo. These images became an overnight Instagram sensation, and nine will be on display in the gallery.

• Gerrard Gethings shows his uncanny side-by-side photographs of dogs and their human look-alikes.

• Sophie Ryder, a renowned British sculptor and Royal Academy graduate, exhibits a dynamic bronze sculpture and a striking portrait of her dog.

• Sophie Gamand’s touching portraits of rescue Pit Bulls wearing handmade flower crowns are part of a project that’s helped rehome hundreds of dogs in the US.

• Shauna Richardson, known for her unique technique Crochetdermy®, presents a life-sized crocheted hound.

As well as a wide-ranging display of dog-themed photography, ceramics, textiles, prints andsculpture, there will be lots of opportunities for visitors to get involved: There’s a ‘name the breed’ trail competition and a digital interactive where visitors can see what they’d look like as a dog. There will also be an array of canine-related crafts, including drawing your pooch’s portrait and a ‘make a mask’ activity. With something for everyone – from art lovers to dog lovers – A Dog’s Life is the paw-fect family day out in the heart of the Nottinghamshire countryside.

Full list of exhibiting artists:

Sophie Ryder, William Wegman, David Shrigley, Gerrard Gethings, Rafael Mantesso, Holy Smoke, Martha Todd, Shauna Richardson, Lucy Casson, Mychael Barratt, Bryony Rose Jennings, Michael Gillette, John Bond, Sally Muir, Zoe Whiteside, Ryan Taylor, Sophie Gamand, Georgina Warne, Gemma Rees, Whatshisname, Lazerian and Margaret Cogswell.

Illustrations from:

Nick Sharratt, Mei Matsuoka, Emmanuelle Walker, Alice Bowsher, Chris Chatterton, Helen Stephens, Adam Stower, Tor Freeman, Jo Williamson, Nicola Kent, Emma Lazell, Claudia Boldt and John Bond.

– A Dog’s Life is on show at the Harley Foundation, Nottinghamshire from 12 July 2025 – 21 September 2025.
– The exhibition is free to enter and there is a large, free car park. Please note, only service dogs are permitted in the galleries.
– The Gallery is open Tuesday – Sunday. Please check www.harleyfoundation.org.uk for opening times.
– The Harley Foundation is on the Welbeck estate, on the A60 south of Worksop. It is 15 minutes from both the A1 and M1.

www.harleyfoundation.org.uk