The Animal in Us: Bruce Gallery Exhibition Offers a Revealing Look into Human Nature
The Bruce Gallery at PennWest University’s Edinboro campus unveiled its latest exhibition, “Understanding Animals/Understanding Ourselves,” on Wednesday evening, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the roles animals play in society through art.
The exhibition, curated by Cindy Persinger, a professor of Art History at PennWest, features over 30 works drawn from the gallery’s permanent collection, as well as pieces lent by PennWest Edinboro alumni, professors, and regional artists. It will be open to the public through March 9, 2025.
The exhibit spans art from the 1500s to the present, showcasing how artists have depicted animals throughout history and across various cultures. Persinger’s vision for the exhibition is to show the complex relationship between humans and animals and how representations of animals in art reflect societal views and cultural values.
“I am interested in how representations work in society,” Persinger said. “Representations both reflect and shape how we understand things, including animals. The exhibition gives visitors the chance to explore how these representations have evolved over time.”
One of the central themes of the exhibition is how depictions of animals offer insight not only into human attitudes toward animals but also into human nature. “The way we represent animals is more complex than one might think,” Persinger said. “Our representations reveal much about our relationships with animals, but they also say something about how we relate to one another.”
Persinger worked closely with PennWest students to curate the exhibition. Students from five different art history classes were involved in researching and selecting artworks, writing catalog entries, and contributing to wall text. The students’ research played an integral role in shaping the exhibit’s narrative.
“I collaborated with students across multiple classes,” Persinger said. “Students from both online and face-to-face classes researched works of art, wrote about them, and considered how these works might be understood through various contemporary lenses. This helped ensure that the exhibition was not only academically robust but also accessible to the public.”
One work that stands out in the exhibition is “Fauna Obscurus,” an installation by Rachel Maly, a recent MFA graduate of PennWest. Maly’s piece examines the obscure and often misunderstood ways in which animals are viewed in contemporary culture.
Maria Ferguson, director of the Bruce Gallery, noted that Maly’s work is one of many that encourage visitors to reflect on the broader implications of animal representations.
“Rachel’s work is a prime example of how art can inspire deeper reflection on our relationship with the natural world,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson also spoke about the broader impact of the exhibition. “This exhibition aligns perfectly with the gallery’s mission to engage students and the surrounding community. It’s a celebration of the Bruce Gallery’s permanent collection and a great opportunity to highlight works by regional artists, PennWest faculty, and students,” she said. “The involvement of students in the curatorial process adds a unique layer of educational value. It’s one thing to learn about art history, but it’s another to actively engage with art in the context of creating an exhibition.”
In addition to the exhibition itself, the gallery has planned several programs to deepen the community’s engagement with the artwork. One such program is a visit from therapy dogs scheduled for December 10, 2024, aimed at providing students with a stress-relief opportunity during finals week. The therapy dogs tie into the exhibition’s themes by highlighting the bond between humans and animals.
“It’s a fun and relevant way to bring the themes of the exhibition to life,” Ferguson said.
The gallery’s new location on the first floor of the Baron-Forness Library has increased its visibility and accessibility to the campus community. Ferguson highlighted the importance of the gallery’s central position on campus, which has allowed it to become more accessible to students, faculty, and the public.
“We want to make the gallery a place that is open to everyone,” Ferguson said. “Being centrally located means we’re more visible, and we hope that more people will stop by to engage with the exhibitions and the art we present.”
With its mix of historic and contemporary works, “Understanding Animals/Understanding Ourselves” invites visitors to reflect on the complex ways in which animals are represented in art and culture. The exhibition also underscores the importance of the Bruce Gallery as both a cultural resource for PennWest University and a community space where people can engage with art and ideas.
“The exhibition is an important opportunity for students and the community to see the richness of the Bruce Gallery’s collection and to understand the role of animals in art and society,” Ferguson said. “We’re excited for the community to experience this exhibition and the many other programs we have planned.”
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