Brad Wilson – Red Tailed Hawk #4, Albuquerque, NM, 2016

Since the beginning of their time, human creatures have been assigning symbolism to animals sharing our world. Serving as an endless source of fascination, animals have had an important place in art history. They have been represented in a variety of ways, as symbols, teachers of moral lessons, aesthetic and scientific muses, talking creatures, or companions, serving as vessels for happiness, distress, environmental issues, gender roles, and more.

Contemporary artists continue to explore the world of animals and our relationships with them. The current interest in animal imagery seems intensified by our increasingly uneasy relationship with nature and its denizens.

We bring you ten pieces that celebrate the richness and diversity of the animal world!

Featured image: Brad Wilson – Red Tailed Hawk #4, Albuquerque, NM, 2016. All images courtesy of their respected galleries.