GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors can take a surreal look at animals of the past in the new “Wondrous Creatures: Where Science and Art Intersect” exhibit now on display.

This free gallery exhibition showcases five ceramic sculptures of prehistoric animals among 18th-century furniture such as a bathtub, clock and bed. Artist Ariel Bowman, who created the sculptures, said each scene is a fantasy that inspires curiosity and wonder in guests by using the aesthetic of a time when humans’ relationship with nature was beginning to expand through scientific discovery.

“I make sculptures of prehistoric animals that represent the wonder to be found in natural history,” Bowman said. “I am intrigued by animals that evolved with distinct features, such as unfamiliar tusks, strange elongated limbs and unusual proportions. I use clay to bring these extinct creatures back to life.”

The exhibit also includes images detailing the sculpting process and symbolism of the art, as well as additional information on the creatures like pictures of fossils and artist renderings.

Florida Museum exhibit developer Tina Choe said she “wants everyone to see this exhibition to ignite their imaginations.”

“While developing exhibits, I am often working with fossilized bones, so the moment I saw these sculptures I felt the thrill of seeing ancient creatures come to life in a humorous way,” Choe said.

Bowman created the sculptures as part of her thesis exhibition to complete her master’s of fine arts from the University of Florida College of the Arts. For more information on her work, visit www.arielbowman.com.

For more information on the exhibit, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/wondrous or call 352-846-2000.

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Writer: Nikhil Srinivasan, 352-273-2034, nsrinivasan@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Tina Choe, 352-273-2079, tchoe@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu