The artwork of Emily Burns is definitely potent in meaning. The paintings in her Deer Girl series depicts a curious subject – each shows a woman’s body topped an animal head. The women in her work seem to be modeling for a camera, some as pin-ups. However, the jarring image of an animal’s head interrupts the familiar language of such photo shoots. While it’s difficult to reconcile the animal head with the human form, it’s also nearly impossible to separate them. The series underscores how both women and the natural world are often the victim of objectification.
