Cultured Canines: Evolution, Emotion, Imitation

Tue 22 July - Fri 17 October

Museum of Classical Archaeology

Cultured Canines: Evolution, Emotion, Imitation is an exhibition which explores the history and mythology of different dog breeds – via the style of ancient Greek pottery. The show is the culmination of nine-year collaboration between Cambridge-based artist Allison Ksiazkiewicz and Attic Black | Thetis Authentic, a studio in Athens reviving the craft and technology of ancient Greek ceramics.

The result is a series of ceramic works which combine new designs with ancient decorative and manufacturing techniques as reconstructed from ancient Mediterranean cultures. The surprising appearance of our four-legged friends on ancient-looking vases begs for closer inspection: each object tells a story not about the gods and heroes of Greek myth but about a different dog breed.


Producing the pots:
The process of making the vases in this show was the result of a truly international partnership. While Ksiazkiewicz was undertaking research and carrying out the preparatory work in the UK, the vases were made in Greece, at the Attic Black | Thetis Authentic workshop in Athens. Each vase shape was designed and produced under the supervision of Dr Eleni Aloupi. Allison then travelled to Athens to paint the vases, working closely with Dr Aloupi and her team to create an object that captures the visual conventions of ancient Greek ceramics.

Dr Marianne Bergeron has acted as advisor on the project.7


About the artist:
Allison Ksiazkiewicz was born in Canada and today lives in the UK. She trained as a printmaker and as a historian of art and science. Cultured Canines: Evolution, Emotion, Imitation is the first time all twelve of the vases in the series have been exhibited together.

Cost: Free