Past works by Megan McGaffigan work examines the human-canine relationships throughout history and into the contemporary. Currently her work examines how humans anthropomorphize their dogs, share their homes with them and even their beds. Informed by photographic documentation of the obsessive, bizarre, and sometimes perverse dog culture prominent in urban cultures, Megan creates canine adornments in a variety of media such as metal, paper, fabrics, and found objects. These objects demonstrate the social qualities and roles that dogs play in our society. Dogs have become reflections and extensions of us. They act as status symbols, objects that adorn us, and in turn we adorn them.
Recent works by Megan McGaffigan have examined the popular phenomenon of backyard and urban chickens. She has developed a line of production jewelry specifically for backyard chickens. These works and accompanied collaborative photography can be viewed at PoultryHaus.com.
Megan McGaffigan is an artist with deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. Raised in Saratoga, California she fostered a love for animals from a very young age. As a young adult, she spent several years living in Montana, riding horses, working as a veterinary assistant, and as an artist assistant to sculptor John Buck. Megan’s affinity for animals led to a natural interest in pursuing animal topics her own work. After receiving her BFA in Metalsmithing from Montana State University she moved back to California to pursue her MFA from California College of the Arts. Since receiving her MFA from California College of the Arts, she has traveled back to Montana, married her husband and relocated again to the Pacific Northwest. She currently lives in Vancouver, Washington with her flock of fancy chickens, 3 dogs, 1 horse, and 1 donkey.