A Moral Scar (2025)Acrylic painting by Hanna Bell

A political social commentary painting depicting dead sow pig posed as an object of art. By posing a dead animal in the same way female nudes are artistically posed I invite the viewer to consider the human value of innocent, sentient creatures which we slaughter for food. I have used deconstructions within the painting by spreading the paint across the boundary edges of the pig's composition. This has the effect of 'energising' the dead pig. It recreates the disturbing nature of the slaughter process. Slaughter house workers spray paint the word “destroy” onto sows that are no longer producing good quality piglets.

The background shows inverted chicken carcasses with legs posed as trees. The group of dead poultry to the right are also posed to represent part of a landscape. The overall effect is surreal. Here I have been influenced by the style of Paul Nash's war paintings.

Factory farmed animals produce toxic waste products which threaten climate change. The Amazon rainforest is being cleared to plant soya for cattle feed. This toxicity found in all factory farming is represented as green gas in the background of this painting.

The 3 human figures are wearing biosecurity capes and masks; symbolising an apocalyptic or pandemic type event. They “hide” in the background in the same way the slaughter process is hidden from our communities. Some say that no humans would eat meat if slaughterhouses had glass walls.

This painting will be sent with a hand written certificate of authenticity.

Overseas buyers may be subject to import taxes.

Materials used:

Acrylic

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 50 x 76 x 3.5cm (unframed) / 50 x 70cm (actual image size)
• Ready to hang
• Signed on the back
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: Animals and birds

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