Animal Rights/Vegan Activists' Strategies Articles

The use of art to make a powerful statement

From Reality Checks with Staci-Lee
November 2022

Here is one artist who uses the canvas to show our violence and exploitation of animals for all to see. Some of her work is shocking, while other works are painfully sad. They all show the raw ugly truth. In many ways, the artwork by Jo Fredriks epitomizes what the core meaning of art is, a new way of looking at things.

Image from Jo Fredrik's Art

Art can take many forms, from literature and paintings to film and theatre. It has the power to transform us to other places and other ways of thinking. Art has always been a place for free expression and often the place where new ideas and ways of thinking are formed. In times of political upheaval art has often been the messenger while targeted by those looking to hide the truth from the people. We as a species are highly influenced by what we see, listen to, read and watch. It makes sense that tyrannical societies have the least artistic freedom and the freest societies put a higher value on art and culture.

Another important aspect of art is how it’s used for cultural identity. For some people art shows their values and priorities while others use art as a tool to show our mistakes and a better way of living. Whatever message the artist is sending, art can change our minds and actions and the very essence of society.

Animal rights is a simple idea but one that comes with some of the most controversy and strongest feelings on both sides of the argument. At its core it seeks to give all other species we share the planet with similar rights to us. They have the right to living without the threat of abuse or death, as our own species has. In searching for ways to spread these ideals there have been rallies, laws, hearings, movies, books and art, arguing the pros and cons of giving other species ‘rights’.

"Palm Oil and Pollution"

Here is one artist who uses the canvas to show our violence and exploitation of animals for all to see. Some of her work is shocking, while other works are painfully sad. They all show the raw ugly truth. In many ways, the artwork by Jo Fredriks epitomizes what the core meaning of art is, a new way of looking at things. Artists have often been on the frontlines of societal change but don’t always get the recognition. Throughout history many writers, filmmakers and poets have been blacklisted for their views when they went against mainstream group think. Not everyone embraces change without a fight.

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Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE and more of Jo's PAINTINGS HERE.

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