My work is inspired by our complex and often ambivalent relationships with animals - particularly those raised for consumption. Most of us think of farms as idyllic places, but unfortunately, this is far from reality. As family farms have given way to large corporations, bucolic barnyard scenes have been replaced by massive, industrialized animal factories. These companies, like all corporations, strive to maximize output while minimizing costs. Farmers found they could achieve this by using mechanization and assembly-line techniques with animals in their care. The resulting conditions are unfathomably cruel, bizarre and inhumane.

My intent is to draw attention to these forgotten animals by representing idealized scenes between humans and animals and how those relationships have been destroyed by the imposition of mechanization (represented by the grid) and a culture based on entertainment, consumption and profit at any cost. We have reduced unique, living creatures into commodities to be bought, sold, traded, and ultimately consumed. This process requires suppression of the naturally caring relationship between humans and animals (which is particularly evident in children). Natural feelings of guilt and horror that emerge when we confront these issues have resulted in a culture of denial and reluctance to learn. This, in turn, allows the abuse to continue - unchecked. (Unbelievably, there are currently little to no federal laws protecting farm animals.)

Additionally, over the past year, I have begun to see links between the way in which we treat animals and the historic subjugation of women, people of other races, and the connections to war. There is, in all these relationships, a shared undercurrent of violence, dominance and enslavement.

How can we expect to end wars, racism and violence against women when the most basic component of our days - our meals - are born of suffering and oppression?

Our dietary choices are typically based on habit and tradition. Fortunately, our bodies do not require cow's milk, hen's eggs, fish, or the flesh of pigs and calves for good health. All the nutrients and flavors we need can be found in a plant-based diet.

Animal-based foods are products of industrialized animal abuse, and the best way to end this abuse is to simply refuse to finance it. As consumers, we have the opportunity to create change and put an end to the cycle of violence with each and every meal.

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