SIENNA REID | SIENNA REID ~ PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS | Animals
In 2001 I began to paint animals for the first time. This started with my interest in cow and bull imagery in ancient Roman art and was piqued by the Mad Cow Disease outbreak. I became very interested in the idea of civilization and the fact that it could not settle down without the domestication of animals. Our entire world of towns, cities and civilization depends upon our relationship with domesticated animals. Diseases like Mad Cow created directly by man, and are a sign of our abuse of this relationship through improper stewardship. The more I looked at images of animals the more I wanted to paint them and this has led me into a new type of portraiture- a portrait of the animal as individual.
I have continued this exploration over the years with portraits of other animals like dogs and chickens. I love to paint their fur or feathers and to give them a status that reflects their importance to the civilized world. Fur and feathers have become a subject of intrigue for me, just as skin is on a human being- its many subtleties, the way it attracts light, its suppleness and beauty. I do not support the inhumane treatment of animals in any way and I hope to encourage through my portraiture of animals, a respect for all inhabitants of this world.
I have continued this exploration over the years with portraits of other animals like dogs and chickens. I love to paint their fur or feathers and to give them a status that reflects their importance to the civilized world. Fur and feathers have become a subject of intrigue for me, just as skin is on a human being- its many subtleties, the way it attracts light, its suppleness and beauty. I do not support the inhumane treatment of animals in any way and I hope to encourage through my portraiture of animals, a respect for all inhabitants of this world.
