Dog Beach 

Lucia Heffernan created this playful, vibrant painting, ‘Dog Beach,’ using oil on canvas. Heffernan’s interest in imbuing animals with human traits offers a lens through which to explore our own societal structures and behaviors. Look closely at the composition. What do you notice about the division of space and the activities depicted? Do you notice how the segregation of cats is reinforced by the sign on the right? The painting presents a whimsical, idealized version of leisure, but it also subtly comments on issues of exclusion and privilege. The painting invites you to reflect on the ways in which societal norms shape our understanding of who gets to relax, who gets to play, and who gets to belong. Heffernan encourages us to consider how these dynamics play out in both human and animal communities, leaving us with questions about fairness, access, and the boundaries we create.