Intro

Gallery Name: Chroma
Located: Yucaipa, CA
Run By: Katlynn Tatge
Type of Work: There really is no limit to the type of work shown here- from old work to new, and experienced, famous artists to beginner artists just trying to make a change. As long as the work is beautiful, and not necessarily in the conventional way, and makes an impact, it is welcome in the gallery.

Exhibition Intro

Exhibition Title: Creature Cruelties

Artists Being Shown: Sue Coe, Jackson Thilenius, Banksy, Gale Hart, Jillian Dickson, Rocky Lewycky, Andy Warhol, and Jim Holyoak

Exhibition Statement: This show is about bringing awareness to the abuse and harm caused to animals throughout the world. The artists in this show are or were all hoping to bring attention to hurting animals in any and every situation causing them distress. In other research projects, I couldn't help but notice the rising trend in art pushing for the ethical treatment of animals, thus birthing the theme. Research was done about artists for animal rights, and artists making any sort of statement against maltreatment, period. As I researched, I found artists highlighting many different kinds of harm, that even I hadn't originally thought of when creating this show, and became impacted by the theme myself. I hope that the show can help others, if only even one, see these animals through the eyes of these artists, and be filled with compassion for these creatures.

Sue Coe

Artist: Sue Coe
Title: She Packed Her Trunk And Said Goodbye To The Circus
Medium: Prints and Multiples, Colored woodcut on natural kitakata paper
Size: 20" X 16"
Date: 2006

About the Artist: Sue Coe was born in Tamworth, Staffordshire in November 1951. She attended the Chelsea School of Art in London from 1968 to 1971 and the Royal College of Art from 1970 to 1973. After graduating she moved to New York and began teaching at the School of Visual Arts until 1978. Sue began illustrating for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, producing images protesting political and social injustices. She grew up close to a slaughterhouse and developed a passion to stop cruelty to animals, and in the 1980's and 1990's the mistreatment of animals for scientific experimentation and food became an increasing theme in her work. She lived in New York City from 1972 to 2001 and currently lives in upstate New York.

Artist Statement: We despair for the fate of animals, the senseless cruelties inflicted upon them by our species, their and our own helplessness in the face of mass slaughter--all this is true. And if we could really see what we have done to the earth, we would go mad. Alongside that is yet another truth: there is a palpable goodness all around us, even in the most terrible times, that all things point to, like the north star.

About the Work, etc.: Sue Coe, in my opinion, is one of the most successful artists in directing attention to misdeeds in our society. She never limits herself to specific topics, and even in her work dealing with animal cruelty, she covers just about every form of the problem. This piece, for example, covers the maltreatment of elephants in the circus, something rarely seen or focused on in art, and it doesn't stop there. She covers animal abuse topics ranging from scientific testing and experimentation, to factory farming and slaughterhouses, to mass fishing, shark fishing, and BP oil spills. I chose this piece in particular, because it shows her range in topics and that she truly cares for all creatures. Though most of her work does focus on slaughterhouses, this piece shows that she still sheds light on issues that many people may not even think about, or issues that are not talked about as much as they should be. Coe's work pushes boundaries and it exudes the urgency and passion she carries. 

Jackson Thilenius

Artist: Jackson Thilenius
Title: Next
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 60" X 48"
Date: 2011

About the Artist: Jackson Thilenius is an accomplished artist and Architect. He earned a Master of Architecture degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and has been practicing Architecture on his own since 2001. Thilenius has always been drawn to diverse subject matter and honed his skills as an excellent draftsman and painter at a young age. After moving to California, Thilenius shifted the focus of his paintings to include more figurative studies. His most recent works have been inspired by the lifestyles and personalities of southern California. His paintings can be found in multiple shows and galleries around the Los Angeles area, where he now resides.

Artist Statement:  "Through artistic expression, create thought-provoking images of animal cruelty as a catalyst for radical, positive changes within any industry reliant on the physical, mental or emotional torture of animals. Social awareness of animal atrocities is the immediate goal of this exposure with the intent of promoting lifestyles that are not dependent on the inhumane exploitation of innocent animals." - Jackson Thilenius on what he wants from his work as well as the other work featured on his website, www.crusadecreative.org

About the Work, etc.: In Thilenius' piece, Next, he provides a different perspective on cows entering the slaughterhouse; two perspectives, actually. We get to see not only the cow that is next up to be slaughtered, but what the cow itself sees- it's horrifying destiny. The work shows the life these cows are bred for, and is filled with emotion. It makes you wonder, whether you believe they have emotions or not, what the the cows are feeling at that moment. 

Banksy

Artist: Banksy
Title: Sirens of the Lambs
Medium: "Moving sculpture" including meat truck, driver, 60 stuffed animal puppets (as well as their four puppeteers), and an audio guide accessed through an 800 number printed on the truck
Size: Unknown* ("moving sculpture")
Date: 2013

About the Artist: Banksy is a well-known street artist, although his identity remains unknown. He is believed to have been born in 1974 in Bristol, England. He began his career as a graffiti artist in the early 1990s, in Bristol's graffiti gang DryBreadZ Crew, and gained recongnition for his provocative stenciled pieces in the late 1990s. His siignature style often engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed. Banksy's worldwide fame has transformed his artwork from acts of vandalism to sought-after high art pieces.

Artist Statement: "Audio on the [Banksy] site says this is either a statement on the "casual cruelty" of the meat industry or "something vague and pretentious" about losing childhood innocence. In keeping with that theme, the video ends with a displeased child sobbing in a stroller." - Amy Hubbard of the LA Times

About the Work, etc.: It is rumored that Banksy used to work in a butcher shop, which may be the inspiration behind this, as well as other artworks of his. This piece undeniably calls out factory farming and animal cruelty, whether or not there is another meaning behind it. The fact that stuffed animals are used here draws attention to the fact that the real animals that could be in their place are on the way to their deaths and reminds us that we rarely take into consideration the lives of the animals. It shows us how we treat animals- as food or as cute, cuddly pets, but never in the respect that they deserve to be treated.


*I know size is a requirement, but I hope an exception can be made in such a case as this, since video is allowed.

Gale Hart

Artist: Gale Hart
Title: Forced to Wear Make-up
Medium: Acrylic and Pencil
Size: 41" X 71"
Date: 2009

About the Artist: "A childhood fascination with creating objects out of nuts, bolts, scrap metal and wood evolved into an intensely energetic creative drive. Gale Hart began her
career with an enduring passion to compile components into a whole. From
monumental canvases to meticulous graphite drawings, Hart's repertoire of visual
images grabs, engages and speaks volumes about universal humanity." - From Gale Hart's website

Artist Statement: "The paintings initiate a visceral discourse with the viewer - the viewer is intrigued and pulled into the narrative of the subject matter. Hart implements the use of
rhythmic geometric elements as a means of visual navigation. This technique of
unification formalizes the composition and mitigates visual and emotional agitation.
Color as a void saturates the background of the paintings against which the intense
hues of the figures emanate to elicit tension. Awkward color combinations distort
and disarm the eye, yet concurrently assist in the comprehension of the work." - From Gale Hart's website

About the Work, etc.: Hart's work against animal cruelty mainly focuses on the forcing of animals to be test subjects for products and experiments. This work, Forced To Wear Makeup puts into focus the fact that these animals don't have a choice in the matter- they are essentially held at gunpoint as depicted, and made to endure heinous actions. Though her work is so simple, you feel a great sense of tension between the two subjects in the image, helping the viewer feel the anxiety of the animals in her work.

Jillian Dickson

Artist: Jillian Dickson (Ludwig)
Title: Cow II
Medium: Graphite, color pencil, gouache, and pastel on paper
Size: 18" X 30"
Date: 2011
About the Artist: "Originally from Darien Illinois, Jillian graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree in 2005 from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She was awarded a full tuition scholarship to Clemson University in SC, and received her master's of fine arts degree in 2007. She has taught multiple art classes at the Art Institute of Austin, Texas State University, Baylor University, Clemson University, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Elon University. Jillian decided to move to Lyon, France for a year to build her studio practice. Along with making work in her tiny studio apartment, she traveled, mostly throughout western Europe, and ate every local pastry possible. She now lives in Grand Rapids Michigan where she maintains a vibrant studio practice."

Artist Statement/ Background: "The series Fam Farm reflects in a calm, gentle manner the loss of natural farming within westernized culture. Genetic modification, factory farming, as well as deceitful packaging and misguided labeling results in confusion and a disconnection between customer and the source of their food. Each drawing describes animals, which are regularly used by humans, to be wrapped in flowing pink ribbons and balloons. These synthetic pretty objects operate to suggest manipulative tactics within the packaging and labeling of food. Besides ribbons and balloons, the influence of humans behavior upon these animals can be seen through plucked and exposed areas of an animal, an overproduction or misuse of hair/wool, and the fistula (access into the stomach hole) of a cow.The short-lived and harsh existence of farmed animals is a sobering discussion. For that reason, the work is constructed in a non-threatening and often playful or humorous manner. The pastel colors, medium scale, and narrative appeal are tactics of gentle persuasion for the awareness of animal treatment and conscious abundance of human consumption."

About the Work, etc.: To me, Jillian's "Fam Farm" series is one of the greatest examples in exposing animal mistreatment in farming. It shows how factory farmed animals are treated as objects to create wealth instead of living creatures. At first, her work comes across simply as beautiful portraits of animals, until you follow the beautiful blossoming flowers or winding ribbons and your eyes suddenly reach an open hole in a cows stomach or the raw flesh of a chicken. The tired, run down looks on the animals faces add to the mood, giving you a glimpse into their lives. The pieces are subtle, yet once you take in all the detail, they become powerful reminders of the conditions of these animals.