RICHARDSON, Texas (Aug. 1, 2006) — The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will host the visual art exhibition Feral Nature, which investigates “the animal,” both literally and metaphorically, through drawing, sculpture, painting, photography and video.  The exhibition is free and open to the public and will be displayed in the Main Gallery of UTD’s Visual Arts Building from Aug. 25 to Sept. 27.   

Former UTD faculty member Margaret Meehan will curate the exhibition, which features the work of nine artists, ranging from California to Texas to New York:  Bradly Brown, John Byrd, Claire Cowie, Karen Davenport, Clayton Hurt, Thomas Müller, Will Rogan, Jenny Schlief and Raychael Stine. 


Feral Nature, an exhibit investigating “the animal,” will feature works like Clayton Hurt’s
Untitled (left) and Raychael Stine’s Stoat Sea in the Visual Arts Building Aug. 25 to Sept. 27.

According to Meehan, each artist will explore the boundaries between nature and culture and the assumed distance between animal and human behavior.

“The artists participating in Feral Nature look at the symbolism of the animal body, the tension between wild and domesticated, and the clash between opposites of scale, color and context,” Meehan said.  “Using humor and irony, as well as critical reflections on social and gender issues, these artists cause us to look deeper at what is ‘animal’ and consequently at our own true nature.”
               
The UTD Visual Arts Building is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The gallery is closed on Sunday.

An opening reception for Feral Nature will take place on Friday, Aug. 25, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

More information about the event is available at http://ah.utdallas.edu/season0607/feralnature.htm.

For information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UTD, please call 972-UTD-ARTS (972-883-2787), e-mail utdarts@utdallas.edu, or visit the School of Arts and Humanities’ website at http://ah.utdallas.edu/.  Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations may call 972-883-2982, Texas Relay Operator: 1-800-RELAYVV.

About UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls nearly 14,500 students.  The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores.  The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs.  For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s website at www.utdallas.edu.