'A feel-good dog show'

MARK DWYER/Taranaki Daily News

MY BEST FRIEND: Okato artist Paul Hutchinson and his bearded collie Fergus at New Plymouth gallery Kina's latest exhibition Fetch! A Dog Show.

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They lick you, dig the garden and chase balls but, for some artists, they also offer inspiration.

New Plymouth's Kina NZ and Art Space latest exhibition Fetch! – A Dog Show has seen artists from around the country produce pieces all about the pooch.

The exhibition, which opened on Friday night, features paintings and sculptural work and pays homage to man's best friend. Kina communications co-ordinator Rose Walkinshaw says the exhibition is a bit of fun. "It's a feel-good dog show," she explains.

Each year Kina invites artists to contribute to a group exhibition. Last year the theme was pohutakawa and this year it is dogs, she says.

"It is a particularly good subject because artists often live by themselves, but they have dogs as companions."

Kina gallery director Rebecca Mooney says this is the time of year when people need an uplifting bite of creative storytelling.

"This exhibition is all about celebrating the dog's unique relationship to humans."

Okato artist Paul Hutchinson did not paint his dog Fergus, but he wanted to.

"It was a bit difficult because he moves around so much," he says.

The exhibition runs until December 2.

- © Fairfax NZ News