I am a Pig
by Leon Lester
Vinyl on fibreglass
80 x 120 x 50cm
$4,000
All photos used in this sculpture are the property of Mercy For Animals.
How we treat our animals actually says a lot about us as a society. At present, the animals in this world, not just those that we directly take the life of for our consumption, are not being respected, honoured or given any gratitude.
The World Wide Fund for Nature recently announced that humanity has caused the loss of 50 per cent of all wildlife on earth in only the last 40 years. This suggests man is simply not concerned for the welfare of the animal kingdom.
This wasn’t always the case. In native societies that existed before the materialistic society of the present world, animals were hunted. However, animals played a special role in native cultures and were honoured and respected. Animals were seen as teachers, guides and companions and as a part of an interconnected whole. When the life of an animal was taken, there was respect given to the soul of the animal, and customs and rituals that venerated their existence and divinity. Animal populations remained plentiful and biodiversity was preserved in these societies.
This artwork is designed to convey that animals in the present world are not seen as anything more than another material resource that man exploits and commercializes to meet his seemingly endless materialistic desire and greed.
“When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colours, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the warriors of the Rainbow” — Cree Indian Prophecy
Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.
~Standing Bear ~
Leon Lester
