Cat Culture: Felines in Creative Expression around the World

March 30, 2027 – February 12, 2028

Millions of people around the world know cats primarily as household companions, but felines have long occupied a complex and powerful role in human history. Cat Culture: Felines in Creative Expression around the World explores symbolic significance of wild and domestic cats through diverse material culture, including ceramics, masks, textiles, and jewelry. Spanning Mesoamerica, West and Central Africa, and East Asia from ancient times to the present, the exhibition highlights how felines—poised between the human and wild worlds—have served as enduring symbols of power, protection, and spiritual authority. Visitors will learn how jaguars, tigers, lions, and leopards have inspired art, society, and sacred traditions across the globe.