start of new work

This work follows on from my look at wildlife and animals around me ,living in Northern Ireland. Ive started to  investigate our society and how we relate to each other. Looking at the society your in, what do you see? who do you see around you? what are your impressions of them? Its hard not to be judgmental. Through many forms of media that we are constantly bombarded by , we subconsciously assimilate a collective understanding of how our society is doing. But is this a true reflection? when did you really take time to look at those people who are around you everyday.

 It would be easy to report that our society is an over populated conglomeration of O.A.P, single parents, hoodies, disaffected youth, corrupt politicians, inept bankers, poverty,hate crimes a broken society....
but is that what you really see right now. I'm not saying these things dont exist but on what scale compared to what we come into contact with.
The old exist, we are all moving in that direction, but other than relatives when did you last speak with someone from an older generation? single parent families exist for a multitude of reasons when did you last talk to someone who is a single parent? Hoodies and disaffected youth- the more we shy away from our youth the more we isolate them, they learn from peers and the generations ahead of them. If we cut our communication through fear how can they listen to what we know. Not every youth wants to steal your phone. when did you last talk and listen to what they have to say.

The list of those in our society we isolate is growing, mostly through lack of connection. Its easier to demonize than it is to understand. You are a valuable member of society, everyone is we all have something to say and contribute.
The work looks at  my social setting who is recognised as a typical sterio type. As we isolate and animalise others we grow weaker, but is that a real reflection of who we are. the images mask and vale If we treated animals the way we treat each other there would be a national outcry  so what is it we see and why act differently?
Anthropomorphism
We seem to as a culture humanise our animals and animalise one another for numerous reasons.
what part of the evolutionary process  did a small dog understand its need for a handbag as a suitable mode of transport.
There is a strong cultural and historical sense of this process its nothing new but the reasons for doing it are different. Egyptians deified some animals as did many ancient cultures.  Shape shifter and Celtic legends speak of people able to morph into the shape of animals not to mention werewolves. www.endicott-studio.com
www.feralchildren.com on a social setting though and sadly the truth is that the cruelty of man as a species is there to see. it is real.
The artistic idea isn't new and there are many artists looking at the relationship between a animals and humans www.animalgaze.org 
there are many examples of this work right through art history  and if you would like to share the images please do.
But I think everyone looks and creates from a unique perspective so thats the base for my new work along the way I will hopefully go through techniques and development of work along side any other outcomes. please feel free to share your information and ideas.

Thankyou

Lee