Cats are focus of new Kennewick art exhibition

A new art exhibition is hanging at SCRAP Tri-Cities in downtown Kennewick.

Dreamed up by artists Davin Diaz and Madison Rosenbaum, it’s about cats — but it’s also about more than that.

It’s called Big Cat, Little Cat, Phat Cat, too.

“When people think of art, they think of traditional media like painting or sculpting,” Rosenbaum wrote in a description of the show.

“Along those same lines, you hardly imagine that the subjects of those art pieces are going to be cats. Perhaps this show is about widening the scope of modern art for this community while using a subject that is relevant: cats.”

In a world where art can effect change, “this show is more focused on poking fun and allowing a space for the viewer to ponder on various ideas and topics,” she wrote.

“I don’t think it’s a revolutionary idea because you can look up the word ‘meme’ on Google and most likely you will get a Grumpy Cat image or cats in space,” Rosenbaum wrote.

“You can dedicate your time on YouTube to cat videos; your Facebook feed is loaded with your friends’ photos with their cats; Instagram’s flourishing cat-loving community brings people together; and most importantly, the idea that it is OK to be a crazy cat lady in your mid-20s is something many are aspiring for. For centuries, global communities have praised cats and I think we are in an era that is no different than the Egyptians, for example. We just have a unique way of showing it.”

The group installation features work by Rosenbaum and Diaz. The artists also asked coworkers at Mid-Columbia Libraries to color cats on their lunch and breaks, Diaz said.

Much of the work is on reclaimed material.

The show will run throughout April.

SCRAP Tri-Cities is at 323 W. First Ave.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Cats are focus of new Kennewick art exhibition."