David Remfry (MBE RA) has long been fascinated by the relationships that develop between dogs and their owners. This exhibition reveals the mutual understanding and sympathy of these partnerships. The artist started a series of drawings 15 years ago in New York when Remfry, a resident of the infamous Chelsea Hotel, began to explore the relationships between friends and their dogs through evocative pencil and watercolour portraits. Among the sitters are well-known faces including Alan Cumming and his rescue dog Honey, Susan Sarandon and her Pomeranians, and Ethan Hawke with his dog Nina.
Remfry was born in 1942 and studied art and printmaking at the Hull College of Art.
Since 1973, he has exhibited at galleries and museums across the UK, Europe and the USA, and he was made an MBE in 2001 for services to British art in America.
Remfry was elected a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 2006 and a decade later he was appointed professor of drawing at the Royal Academy Schools.
Events
Meet the Artist: David Remfry will be ‘In Conversation’ at the Mercer Gallery on Wednesday July 17th, discussing the inspirations behind this project and other aspects of his work with artist and curator Courtney Spencer.
Doggie Sundays
Enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the gallery with your canine companion! Dogs are welcome on Sundays, until 29th September.

Children’s Activities
There will be school holiday activities for families and fun things to do in the Mercer – add a picture of your favourite dog to our paw-trait wall, read some dog-themed stories, and try our ‘299 Dogs’ jigsaw.