Animal Instincts: Discover animals in art with Art Lovers Australia

Art Lovers | 11 August 2022

Since the dawn of time artists have been inspired by animals. We only have to take a look at the walls of caves to see what intrinsic and sometimes symbolic role animals play in the life of humans.

Art featuring animals connects us to rural life, sends our imagination afar dreaming of wild meanderings and helps strengthen our relationship with wildlife and the environment.

Black cockatoo pretty in pink by EMMA WREYFORD

Whether it’s on land, or in the ocean, artists beautifully capture not only the intricate physical details of animals, but also the colours, shapes and textures of their habitats.

Fish In Aqua by DAVID CLARE

Beautiful connections

Throughout history, many famous artists have had strong connections with animals. Take Pablo Picasso, an avid animal lover, with his famous line drawing of his daschund Lump, or his pet goat Esmeralda, who he captured in many drawings and sculptures.

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a cat lover, documenting their adventures in 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy. Frida Kahlo definitely drew inspiration from animals, with 55 of her 143 paintings featuring animals. A fawn, a parakeet, hens, macaws, a fawn and sparrows were just some of the animals she captured in her artwork.

Our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander collection of artwork shows the very special connection these communities have with animals, whether it be through dreamtime stories or animals represented as a food source for survival on the land.

Lionel Philips How The Platypus Got Its Name

How the Platypus was born by LIONEL PHILLIPS

What draws artists to animals?

Why do artists feel so drawn to capturing animals? The reason is within the heart of each individual artist, some would admit to liking animals more than humans, while others take joy from capturing their best friend or companion. Artists are drawn to animals for a variety of reasons, including:

The ability to capture the bond between humans and nature.
They are able to tell a visual story through observation and research, capturing the spirit, traits and personalities of the animals.
Artists can explore the textures, shapes, patterns and colours of nature, which can be challenging and intriguing.
It’s a beautiful way to celebrate and honour animals, whether it’s a beloved family member or a wild animal that is under threat of extinction.

Frankie And The Bluebird Petite 8x8 Large

Frankie and the Bluebird – Petite by KATE GRAHAM

Animal artwork

So, keeping this in mind, it’s no big surprise that Art Lovers Australia’s online gallery features hundreds of beautiful artworks featuring furry, feathery and scaly creatures. Whether you’re into the wild of Africa, prefer the simple pleasures of beautiful birds, or you’re an avid cat lover, we have a piece that will make your heart sing.