Many of us feel uncomfortable when we confront the sources of certain of our foods. Perhaps we have constructed a sanitary vision within society - where cows don’t shit. The ‘in-between’ from the field to the chiller section is some hazy, undefinable thing which we don’t think about and therefore does not exist. Using ANIMAL and MEAT as an example, it raises the point that; now that much of society is so far removed from the environment and mechanics thereof, it makes it harder to care about it, to care for it. We can’t see it from our urban environment, we don’t think about it, therefore it does not exist.
This image goes alongside another in the 'dinner on the table'series, where the carcass of a lamb lies on the kitchen table. This image here, now faceless, formless – is safe – the chopped pieces are not animal, but meat – our vision of society is no longer challenged - we can relax.
The flesh tones from the butchered lamb are reflected in the colours of the table, and the wall - the tools are set out, a sharp knife to cut through the meat, a hacksaw to cut through the bone.
Oil on stratched canvas