Seventeen bold prints showcase the unique vision of one of Europe’s most daring postwar artists
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2025
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is pleased to announce its new special exhibition, Karel Appel: Cats. On view August 15 through December 7, 2025, the exhibition offers a vivid and colorful look at cats through the eyes of one of Europe’s most daring postwar artists.
Dutch artist Karel Appel was a founding member of the CoBrA movement (1948–1951), a brief but influential European art group named for the cities in which its founders came from, Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam. CoBrA artists rejected traditional techniques in favor of spontaneous and intuitive work inspired by childlike imagery and raw emotion. Though short-lived, the movement left a lasting mark on postwar art, and Appel carried its spirit of creative freedom throughout his career.
In this new, temporary exhibition, the McClung will display seventeen of Appel’s prints from the museum’s permanent collection, many on view for the first time. Though created after the CoBrA movement, the prints in Cats reflect Appel’s commitment to bold color, vibrant style, and joyful energy.
“Appel’s cat prints remind us that art doesn’t have to be serious or precise to be powerful—it can be messy, colorful, and fun,” said Sadie Counts, Curator of Cultural Collections at the McClung Museum. “What makes this exhibition unique is the way both lighthearted and serious themes emerge. On one hand, it highlights childlike prints of cats, but it also invites visitors to consider deeper ideas like the role of imagination during turbulent times.”
In addition to Appel’s prints, the museum will dedicate a gallery wall to showcase local cats currently up for adoption. Developed in partnership with Young-Williams Animal Center, the Adoptable Cats Wall features real cats from the Knoxville area, along with information about how visitors can provide them with a loving home.
To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, the McClung Museum invites the public to a special reception on Friday, August 15, from 5–7 p.m. Guests will enjoy an exclusive first look at the gallery, live music, guided tours, hors d’oeuvres, and a lithography demonstration by local artist Jake Ingram. Admission is free for museum members. Non-members may attend by purchasing an individual membership, which includes access to this and other special events. Register here: tiny.utk.edu/CatsReception.
Throughout the fall, the museum will offer additional ways to engage with Karel Appel: Cats, including family days, educational programs, and hands-on art-making opportunities inspired by the exhibition. To stay up to date on programming and events, visit mcclungmuseum.utk.edu.
Karel Appel: Cats is made possible through the generous support of the Aletha & Clayton Brodine Endowment. Educational programming at the McClung Museum is funded by the Knox County Tourism Consortium.
About the McClung Museum
The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is at 1327 Circle Park Drive. Museum admission is free, and visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Visitors should register at tiny.utk.edu/visitmcclung and review the visitor guidelines, parking information, and check-in process.
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Contact: Emily Reichard | McClung Museum Manager of Communications & Marketing | ereichar@utk.edu