Clay with surface colour about 8" high
There is an essential sadness about our relationship with domesticated animals in particular those bred specifically as food for us. It is significant that even when we comply with a food chain that includes meat or flesh, many of us still want these animals to be well looked after and humanely slaughtered. Often though, we ignore their sentient nature which is exactly like our own and they in turn have become docile and submissive towards us. Passing a transport of animals en route for the abattoir or even watching sheep trials can make us feel a bit uncomfortable even when we know we will still be buying the lamb chops at weekend.
We cannot “see” the world as they see it and we cannot
“hear” their opinions. Likewise they cannot hear ours. They only know the
result of our actions. We only know we have trained them to know their place.
Wonderful sculpture and I hear you. My father briefly ran a beef farm, and getting to see those animals up close, with their beautiful eyelashes ended beef for me. I subsequently stopped eating lamb, and pork or bacon. I still eat turkey, chicken and fish, and feel the same guilt about those options. Love your work. XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment Barbara. I am a member of "Compassion in World Farming" but like you not quite yet a full vegetarian. You are right - these animals are beautiful and soulful and we need to treat them with a lot more respect.
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