International artists celebrate the nation’s love of dogs in a free summer exhibition at the Harley Gallery, Welbeck.

A Dog’s Life, which will be at the Harley Foundation from 12th July until 21st September, is a witty celebration of our canine companions — exploring how pets can become muses, collaborators, and inspiration for art.

The exhibition brings together the work of artists, designers, illustrators and photographers from around the world, and includes more than 100 artworks — from life-sized crochet sculptures to children’s book illustrations and traditional oil paintings.

Rafael Mantesso uses photography and illustration to create imaginary scenes of his bull terrier, Jimmy Choo, and those images became an overnight Instagram sensation. Nine of them will be on display in the gallery.

Gerrard Gethings will show side-by-side photographs of dogs and their human look-alikes. Sophie Ryder, a renowned British sculptor and Royal Academy graduate, is to exhibit a dynamic bronze sculpture and a striking portrait of her dog.

Sophie Gamand’s portraits of rescue pit bulls wearing handmade flower crowns are part of a project that’s helped rehome hundreds of dogs in the US, while Shauna Richardson, known for her unique technique Crochetdermy®, is to present a life-sized crocheted hound.

As well as dog-themed photography, ceramics, textiles, prints, and sculpture, there will opportunities for visitors to get involved, including in a name the breed trail competition and a digital interactive where people can see what they’d look like as a dog. There will also be canine-related crafts, including drawing your pooch’s portrait and a make a mask activity.