Mixed-media artist Kathryn Petkeâ??s creatures are creepy and cute, a little like the work of Tim Burton with slightly more softness. The creatures wink, grin and express joy, staring out of strange surroundings.
Petke, a master of fine arts student at UW-Madison, said that when she embarked on the work for her MFA show, “Circus of Dirt,” she imagined a scientist attempting to improve the world by making “hybrid creatures.” These were blends of plants and animals that could survive in harsh environments.