Dr. Gayle Weitz from the Appalachian Department of Art brings viewers into a dialogue about the animal hierarchy. Humanimals is a series of carved and painted wooden cabinets that address the relationship between humans and other animals, particularly the issue of speciesism – the “right” humans have to dominate, oppress, and/or exploit other animals. Here, the exterior of each cabinet portrays an animal cliché that typically describes human behavior (such as “foxy” or “sheepish” or “bully); while the interior of each reveals actual human behavior toward the animal in the cliché (such the fur, wool, or beef industries). This series consists of thirteen humanimals including: Foxy Lady (a seductive lady/fox), Pigheaded (an angry pig/boy), Harebrained (a scientist rabbit/researcher), Holy Cow (a nun/cow), Something’s Fishy (a Sherlock Holmes fish/man.) In addition to work in the Department of Art, Dr. Weitz serves as the Coordinator of the TCVA’s Community Art School.
Gayle Weitz poses with some of her humanimals. Image courtesy of the artist.