a heartbeat at my feet

“The conclusion I have reached is that, above all, dogs are witnesses. They are allowed access to our most private moments. They are there when we think we are alone. Think of what they could tell us. They sit on the laps of presidents. They see acts of love and violence, quarrels and feuds, and the secret play of children. If they could tell us everything they have seen, all of the gaps of our lives would stitch themselves together.”

Carolyn Parkhurst, The Dogs of Babel

📍Eightfold Coffee’s Sunset location

1294 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026


🕰️ Aug 17th-Sept 23rd, 2024

7am-5pm daily

  • “A heartbeat at my feet” was a quote from Edith Wharton’s poem dedicated to her pet dog. Without describing their interactions, her words encapsulate a moment of coziness and emotional bond between the human and the pet. Inspired by this notion of interaction and connection, this exhibition features nine artists across various mediums capturing moments with pets. 


    We, humans, share some of the most private moments with pets in our lives, providing care and love. In return, they support us emotionally and inspire us with their presence. While forming strong bonds with them, we also often project our thoughts and societal constructions onto pets, forgetting that their world extends far beyond the micro-world of households. This exhibition, featuring nine artists, examines the intimate bonds in mundane moments and reimagines pets in the larger world, reflecting on the human-centered perspective on pets. Pets in the artists’ eyes not only curl up at their feet and on their lap, but explore their worlds free from humanly constraints, fearlessly and adventurously.


    This exhibition features painters, photographers, illustrators, and multimedia artists, ranging in age from their 20s to 80s. This diverse collective reflects the vibrant art community often overlooked by institutional exhibitions and highlights the versatility and compelling nature of pets as a subject. Some of the featured artists draw inspiration from familiar pet-human interactions, developing these precious moments into their core body of work. Other artists show pets from the eyes of their humans, embodying a strong personal narrative and connection. 

  • The exhibition and its artworks are not complete without the artists’ stories about the pets, which are included in the zine and audio walkthrough. You will be able to understand and empathize with each artworks more as you read and listen to these stories about how the pets helped the artists during transitional times, becoming their muses for art creation, inspiring their ways of living, and more. 

    Access Digital Zine

    Access Artist Walkthrough

  • Some of the artworks are available for sale in various dimensions. Parts of all proceeds will be donated to local animal shelters.

    Access the price list here.