Heavy Rainbows
The Beefree collection of work was created to promote Visiting Farms as a viable alternative to the present model of animal farm that generally involves the systematic abuse and subsequent slaughter of intelligent and sensitive animals. For example chickens, cows, pigs and sheep are known to have a similar intelligence to that of cats and dogs, and enjoy playful interaction with people. Visiting Farms are an affordable location for people of all ages to visit where, in such an environment, the animals have been proven to relieve stress that's particularly beneficial for anyone suffering with anxiety or any other related mental health issues.
BeeFree
Golden Eggs (Installation consisting of 360 humanoid eggs)
I'm old enough to remember the Salmonella outbreak in the egg industry back in the 1980's, when a government investigation concluded that one in four UK eggs contained the potentially deadly Salmonella virus. I first heard this disturbing news on TV whilst tucking into my meal consisting of two fried eggs and chips! Which I never quite got over and was the main inspiration for my Golden Eggs installation consisting of three hundred and sixty egg shells, each conveying either a human face or skeleton yoke - we are what we eat.
Global Food Distribution (above)
Oil on wood, 70 x 60 cm
Cow in Hand Oil on wood, 100 x 75 cm
The future of farm animals is in our hands. It is entirely feasible to transfer 'meat' farms into Visiting Farms. Such a transition would undoubtedly improve the farmer's careers with assured revenue from visiting members of the public, such as coach tours, education programs for schools and colleges, therapeutic visits to improve mental health, and families who simply want to burn up their children's excess energy.
Dark Cow (mixed-media - chalk pastel & watercolour)
The four paintings convey the harrowing issue of poison within our livestock and how, in the name of good economic practise, animals are treated as a mere commodity rather than an intelligent and sensitive creature. Because modern intensive farming relies on keeping a lot of animals confined together in small places, disease can run rampant. Consequently, livestock are fed ever increasing amounts of antibiotics which have resulted in the escalation of new antibiotic resistant strains of virus being found, not only in our livestock, but in humans too.
Meat Dishes
The Meat Dishes consist of photographs conveying typical idyllic scenes set in our countryside. However a closer look reveals an uncomfortable truth. The animals are made from dead animal flesh. They are designed to shock people into confronting the 'meat' trade, and consider the welfare of farm animals. I have reservations about using dead animal flesh in the Meat Dishes and remain somewhat torn, as there's an uneasy feeling of self-destruction in the work.
Charcoal Pig (A4 sketchpad)
I drew this image whilst on a wonderful day out with the family, to Nunny's Visiting Farm in Lincolnshire (where I live). The pigs are so friendly and loved being stroked and receiving a good scratch around their ears. On our way home the children insisted on opening the car windows due to an awful smell in the car. We all checked our shoes but the pungent smell persisted, after rubbing my nose, I suddenly realised the awful smell was coming from my hand which had been scratching the adorable pigs.
Charcoal Pig took no more than a couple of minutes to complete. I like its rawness and spontaneous quality which is completely different to how I usually approach my work..
Golden Fleece (Oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm)
Golden Fleece was developed from a photograph I'd taken during a visit to Nunny's Visiting Farm, situated on the outskirts of Grimsby in Lincolnshire. I enjoyed the positive environment within the farm where the animals were visibly enjoying the attention from visitors of all ages.
