Halifax Instagram dogs spread word about exhibition at Argyle Fine Art

Having owned dogs, R.J. Marchand has a theory about why people love them.

“I think dogs are the closest bit of nature most of us have; that’s our real connection with the natural world, for most people, the dog in their home.”

And as an artist, Marchand has an acute understanding of why images of dogs are so popular.

“If you go on Instagram and search ‘dog’ you’ll be there forever. There are just so many pictures of dogs, so dog art just makes sense. It’s a way to bring people back to that natural world.”

Argyle Fine Art in Halifax is presenting a show of traditional visuals with a boost from some area animals active on social media. The Barrington Street gallery opens Instafamous: Dogs of Halifax on Saturday with an event from 6:30-8:30 p.m., when visitors will be able to mingle with some four-legged influencers.

Gallery owner Adriana Afford put the show together quickly after learning about the local Instapup community.

“There’s this whole group of awesome people that are working on Instagram on behalf of their furry family members, and they’ve become pretty fast stars on Instagram, which is kind of neat.

“I was just fascinated with that and started following all the dogs and thought we should do an art exhibit.”

Afford put out a call to artists in the community for images and paintings of dogs.

“In a lot of cases, when the artists sent things in, the paintings are very personal to them. A lot of them are their own dogs or dogs they’ve known in the past, friends’ dogs or maybe even dogs they’re dreaming of owning.”

Dartmouth artist Kristina Galic has a nostalgic two-part piece in the show depicting young and older versions of a Weimaraner.

“A dear friend of mine has one, and that’s kind of why I chose that,” Galic said during an interview at the gallery.

“Rather than doing a pet portrait, which I also do, I wanted to tell a story. I use a bubble to signify wonder, hope, so with the puppy, I kind of made it light and playful. When the puppy’s grown up, it’s almost like you still have the wonder and hope but you know it can burst.”

Marchand has a studio in Black Point on St. Margarets Bay, and he said most of his work involves animals of some sort.

Wet Behind the Ears and Return to Sender are his two pieces in the show. They feature dogs enjoying the water.

“It’s dogs and art, two great things in my life,” said Marchand at the gallery.

“I’ve had several retrievers, and water is the best thing possible for a retriever.”

Stephanie Gustys of Halifax is helping four-year-old Hunter (Hunter_the_bounty_dog_hfx) use his sway to promote the show.

“He is every breed running around all in one dog; he was found in a box, so he is a full mutt,” Gustys said.

“I had my own Instagram and I was following a bunch of different dog accounts. Then I thought, ‘Why don’t I make him one, too?’ From there, a couple of people messaged me and said, ‘Hey, I’m in Halifax, I’ve got this dog, do you want to get the dogs together for a playdate?’

“Eventually, it sort of became like 300 of us who all live in Halifax and all have our dog accounts.”

Hunter isn’t exactly hustling all the time, but he does enjoy some Instafamous perks.

“It’s crazy. He only has like 4,500 followers and he still gets free food sent to him and free bandanas and things. It’s lucrative.”

Beau (Eskimo.beau) is an energetic one-year-old miniature American Eskimo. Owner JaimeyLynn Gannon of Halifax said she’s a photography enthusiast and took advantage of Beau’s natural appeal.

“He would always put a smile on everyone’s face,” Gannon said.

“I realized how much he seems to bring joy to people. I figured why not just start an Instagram and share it that way.”

Beau has about 3,550 followers, compared with Gannon’s 200 or so. It’s not awkward at all, she said.

“I couldn’t care less if they follow me. I don’t make people smile like he does, right?”

For the free evening reception Saturday, the gallery is allowing only two-legged art lovers, but people are invited to visit the dog-friendly space with their own pets during the rest of the run.

“We’re going to prepare,” said Afford.

“We’ve hung all the artwork fairly high, and I’ll be moving more biteable and breakable items up, so there won’t be as many things on the floor.”

The exhibit continues to March 21 and will be viewable at argylefineart.blogspot.ca.

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