Three chunks of metal ductwork make up the most central piece of art in the University of the Fraser Valley's visual arts diploma grad student show currently on at the Chilliwack Art Gallery.

That ductwork sculpted in the shape of three dogs in various positions is entitled "Lost in Translation" and is the work of Chilliwack resident and dog expert Karen Davies.

"We often misunderstand dog behaviour," Davies told the Times at the opening reception for the show, which also features the work of students Amber Key, Erika Lehner, Alex Stewart, Caitlin Jensen, Dean Lewthwaite and Michelle Stubbe.

One dog is on all fours, one is back on its hind legs and the third is forward on its front paws. Davies says that when dogs "meet" in places such as an off-leash dog park, after they sniff each other and greet, there may be moments of barking and growling that humans interpret as aggression.

But they will likely be just playing, hence the title of her work "Lost in Translation."

The name of the grad students' show is "Look No Hands" and features sculpture, photography, multimedia, acrylic painting and even graffiti art.

Davies's other work includes a framed wedding portrait of her dog attired with a veil. She also has a wedding album on display complete with a mind-numbing number of photos of a mock wedding she set up with her dog and a friend's dog complete with preacher dog.

She said that as you look through the album, and as page after page starts to get repetitive, that's the point. The photos may be of a dog wedding, but she says if you look at anyone's wedding photo album and, unless they are family or you are in the wedding party, after a while you're eyes will glaze over with that same repetitiveness.

- The exhibit is free and open to the public and runs until March 31. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and is open during some theatre shows and special events.

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com