Cal State Fullerton Main Art Gallery
Feb. 3 – March 9, 2007
Opening Reception:  5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007

Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center
Feb. 3 – March 18, 2007
Opening Reception, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007

CSUF Main Art Gallery—12-4 p.m. Mon.–Thurs & noon-2 p.m. Saturday
Grand Central—11 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday-Sun day & until 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat.
Galleries open until 10 p.m. for First Saturdays

Over the past 10 years, Toronto-based artist Bill Burns has created a fascinating world of finely-manufactured model safety and rescue gear for animals, along with drawings, illustrations, and instruction manuals for rescuing, relocating, and rehabilitating animals—all produced by his company, Safety Gear for Small Animals (SGSA). CSUF Grand Central Art Center and CSUF Main Art Gallery share this exhibition as the only U.S. venues to feature Burns’ exceptional collection of works.

Using the conventions of both traditional museum display and print-media marketing, Burns humorously combines his tiny rescue and safety items for animals with helpful information that guides viewers through the exhibition. Beneath the appeal of the miniscule safety vests, work gloves, bulletproof vests, U.V. goggles and respirators developed for our furry friends, lies a frightening warning about our stewardship of the environment. Publications by SGSA include titles like How to Help Animals Escape from Natural History and How to Help Animals Escape from Degraded Habitats. The exhibition is geared towards viewers of all ages, with special displays for children.

Bill Burns was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and received his bachelor of fine arts from the University of Victoria in 1980. He then studied at Goldsmiths' College, University of London, England, for a master of fine arts, graduating in 1987. Burns is the recipient of awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation.

This exhibition was co-produced by the Kamloops Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Kenderdine Art Gallery, Liane and Danny Taran Gallery at the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, and the Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery.

http://www.arts.fullerton.edu
http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com

Main Art Gallery at 657-278-3262
Grand Central Art Center at 714-567-7233

Marilyn Moore, Art Gallery Office at 657-278-7750
Andrea Harris, Grand Central Art Center at 714-567-7234
Elizabeth Champion, College of the Arts at 657-278-2434