Mark



Undesirable Pets



November 9–13, 2021

Sprague Gallery



Opening Reception: November 9, 1:30-4 p.m.
With a conversation with the artists and performances by cannibalistic jumping spiders


Students of Art and Biology (Fall 2021): Andrew Chen, Keo Chui, Stella Cook, Nick Dazell, Jordana Deighton, Emily McCabe, Teagan McMahon, Max Moonier, Lian Morales, Calvin Ng, Risa Purow-Ruderman, Veronica Show, Celine Wang, and Carrie Young




The exhibition poster has digital illustrations of insects, reptiles, a fish, and a plant; and includes the following words. Undesirable Pets. Join us Tuesday, November 9th for the opening of an exhibition of artwork at the HMC Art Gallery. Works were created by the students of Art and Biology and are inspired by – or created for – reptiles, fish, bugs and other un(?) charismatic flora and fauna. Performances and a tour by the artists will be from 1:30-4pm. Please RSVP to mayeri@hmc.edu with proof of vaccination. The exhibition will be open during building hours through November 13.
Poster by Teagan McMahon



Undesirable Pets is an art and biology exhibition inspired by or created for reptiles, fish, bugs and other un(?) charismatic flora and fauna. The exhibition opens on Tuesday, November 9, 1:30-4 p.m., with a conversation with the artists and performances by cannibalistic jumping spiders; and runs through November 13. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

COVID restrictions: If planning to attend the opening, please RSVP to mayeri@g.hmc.edu with proof of vaccination or bring your card. HMC faculty, staff, and students are exempted. Masks are required.

Art and Biology is a Harvey Mudd College course taught by Professor Rachel Mayeri.



View into the gallery from outside in the courtyard. A well-lit exhibition is visible through glass doors. Installation view from left to right: Celine Wang, Keo Chui, Veronica Show, A Burrow in the Sky, 2021, cardboard, hot glue, string, air-dry clay; Art and Biology (course taught by HMC professor Rachel Mayeri), Ants and Biology, 2021, video; Risa Purow-Ruderman, Seeking the sun, 2021, aluminum foil, clay, and acrylic paint; Andrew Chen, Locust in Space, 2021, video; Stella Cook, Where to Go, 2021, mixed media; Teagan McMahon, Downstream, 2021, acrylic on canvas.

View of an exhibition in a gallery where artworks across media, including mixed media, video, and photography, are installed on walls and pedestals.
Installation view from left to right: Stella Cook, Where to Go, 2021, mixed media; Celine Wang, Keo Chui, Veronica Show, A Burrow in the Sky, 2021, cardboard, hot glue, string, air-dry clay; Max Moonier, Cricket Mingle, 2021, digital print on paper; Andrew Chen, Locust in Space, 2021, video.


View of an exhibition where a painting and a mixed media installation hang on the walls.
Installation view from left to right: Teagan McMahon, Downstream, 2021, acrylic on canvas; Stella Cook, Where to Go, 2021, mixed media.

View of an exhibition in a gallery where artworks across media, including mixed media, video, and photography, are installed on walls and pedestals.
Installation view from left to right: Risa Purow-Ruderman, Seeking the sun, 2021, aluminum foil, clay, and acrylic paint; Stella Cook, Where to Go, 2021, mixed media.


View of a video on a monitor showing a wooden structure or sculpture placed on the ground in nature.
Art and Biology (course taught by HMC professor Rachel Mayeri), Ants and Biology, 2021

View of a sculpture on a pedestal. The sculpture takes a form of a lizard head.
Risa Purow-Ruderman, Seeking the sun, 2021


View of 14 digital visualizations of various cricket sounds printed on paper.
Max Moonier, Cricket Mingle, 2021

View of digital rendering in video of continuously moving density points.
Andrew Chen, Locust in Space, 2021


View of an installation on a pedestal of various media, including cardboard, branch, clay, lamp, and photographs.
Celine Wang, Keo Chui, Veronica Show, A Burrow in the Sky, 2021

View of an artwork hung from above the pedestal. The work uses plastic and metal bits of toothbrush, spoon, paracord, and bottle cap. Nick Dazell, Hooked, 2021
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