Pets and art galleries don't generally go hand in hand -- unless of course the pets become the stars of the show. That's exactly what's happening at Australia's National Portrait Gallery, with an exhibition dedicated to the special bond between humans and animals.

It's a pet show with a difference.

The Popular Pet Show is a celebration of all creatures great and small, and the bond humans have with their animals.

For Ken Done, one of Australia's best known contemporary artists, it's always been dogs.

"I'm always slightly suspicious of people who don't like dogs and, look, I'm not against cats, but I'm not a cat person, I am a dog person," said Ken Done.

And they're honoured in his work, particularly his old mate Spot.

"When I spent all that time in the studio and painters, essentially it's a lonely business, you've got to do it by yourself. He was the only one there. If I did a really good painting, Spot would bark twice, 'woof woof!'" said Ken Done.

Through more than 160 paintings, drawings and sculptures, the artists are conveying images of joy and unconditional love.

Lucy Culliton has two passions -- art and her animals. And she has plenty of them for inspiration.

"I want to paint all my sheep -- I think there's 62 -- all of their portraits," said Lucy Culliton.

The work of 15 contemporary Australian artists is on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. And while they share a common theme, their styles are dramatically different. From incredibly detailed paintings on canvas to edgy watercolours.

"Very different approaches but the same kind of humane, warm impulse on the part of the artists," said exhibition curator Sarah Engledow.

For art and animal lovers alike, this summer exhibition offers something for everyone.
It runs until March 13 of next year.