© Dorothea Tanning Collection and Archive, New York and DACS, London 2021

Dorothea Tanning was highly influenced by the Surrealist worldview of exploring surreal elements within real life. Tanning frequently used her art to reclaim representations of the female body which were often depicted by male Surrealists. Another recurring subject in her work was her dog, Katchina, featured staring at the viewer. This surprising scene depicts Katchina intertwined with a woman against a plain background. The exact nature of their interaction is highly suggestive and might suggest discomfort, confusion, laughter, or fear.

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