Humans tend to take their habits for granted. Everything seems self-evident until the perspective shifts. It forces us to reflect on the way we are: humans are not all sunshine and rainbows, as the saying goes. We also have a darker side that we prefer to be swept under the rug.

Barbara Daniels has a calling to reveal these dark things that people do. She shifts the perspective by swapping roles of humans and animals, which in turn raises our awareness of how we behave with other animals, which is brutal and unethical most of the time. There's much room to grow for our species. Her illustrations are a sobering reminder that our society is far from perfect. Though we tend to admire the progress of our own species, we tend to forget that we did it at the price of others.

More info: Instagram | barbaradanielsart.com | Facebook | twitter.com

#1

Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

barbaradanielsart Report

Bernardita Valdés
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like psycopaths, child abusers and pedophiles, hunters are the worst kind of human beings in existance. How can u take a pic of urself smiling proundly with the corpse u just killed? Not forgeting to mentioning that a lion, a tiger, an elephant, an eagle, any animal, worths countless times more than a single hunter that couldnt even be used as food for animals cause of its toxicity. F**k i hate hunters.

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Barbara shared about her "Dominion over Man" with Bored Panda: "It was an unexpected surprise when this art came into my life. The idea of exploring the relationships between humans and animals first came to me while I was eating chicken wings on holiday in Strasbourg, France. I sketched what the situation might look like if the roles were reversed. The idea resonated with me from that moment on and I began to see the world in a new light. I started to focus on the role reversal concept after moving to Berlin in 2013."

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    #2

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Magdalena Zając
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's declawing shown here. Cat claws grow directly from the bone so removing one is pretty much like snipping the end of the finger.

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    "I learned so much from all the research I did for the artwork that I began to question my own lifestyle, and this led to my decision to become vegetarian. I still learn a lot about the world from each picture I create, and I've received a lot of positive feedback from many people inspired by my work. That really motivates me to continue with the 'Dominion over Man' series."

    Barbara tells us what inspired her to create the comics: "The idea of exploring the relationships between humans and animals first came to me while I was eating chicken wings on holidays in Strasbourg, France. I sketched what the situation might look like if the roles were reversed. The idea resonated with me from that moment on and I began to see the world in a new light. I found endless sources of inspiration all around me in everyday life.

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    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    The artist also told us what the main goal of the illustrations is: "The goal of my art is to learn about our world by holding a mirror up to humanity and imagining life from the perspective of the many species dominated by the human race. It’s important to me to reverse each situation as accurately as possible, so I need to do a lot of research before beginning each piece. I learn so much from my research, and I receive a lot of feedback from people who believe that my work is spreading awareness."

    #8

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    CHRISTOPHER BRIDGER
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always thought that the ear mouse thing was messed up

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    #9

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Overbreeding until sicknesses occur

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    Barbara tells us more about how she got into art: "I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a small village, art was a much-needed escape from everyday life with six brothers. Following my passion, I studied fine art at GMIT Ireland."

    #11

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Phica Afton
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My family and I are going to the zoo in a week, this makes me sad :(

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    The artist mentioned what the most difficult part of these illustrations is: "The research I do for my work can be difficult, because it’s often very depressing. I tackle some pretty dark topics, and sometimes it affects my mood. Another difficult part of my work is the process itself. It takes about a month to complete each piece, and my chosen medium of pen and ink can be pretty unforgiving. Once that ink hits the watercolour paper, there’s no going back! Mistakes can’t be erased or covered up."

    #12

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Kennedy Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eww what’s that in his mouth. Watching dogs fight is it fun at all. I don’t know how people watch this.

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    #13

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Kennedy Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never got taxidermy. It’s just disqusting both ways. Why would you cut off something head and hang it.

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    Barbara tells us more about what topics she covers and tells us more about her style: "I cover all topics relating to animals in all aspects of modern life. Some of the topics are gruesome, while others are a bit more lighthearted. My style is a mix between realism and caricature, and I like to focus on details. I started to focus on the role reversal concept after moving to Berlin in 2013. I still have a long list of ideas for new pictures, so I will keep going with my 'Dominion over Man' series for some time to come."

    #14

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That french video of the fur industry... thats the cherry on top. Thats when u realize how not only ridiculous, but mostly stupid, cruel and ignorant ppl are when they wear fur coats and bags and scarfs... u dont look glamourous, u look like a selfish ignorant psychopath carrying a corpse while believing it makes u look beautifull.

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    #15

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Kennedy Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hah I get it ! Kentucky fried human. KFH

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    The artist shares what inspired her to keep creating: "I really enjoy creating my own parallel universe with this art, and I still learn so much about our world from each picture I create. That alone would be enough to keep me going, but I also get motivation from the positive feedback I receive from people who are inspired by my work."

    #16

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    #17

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Kennedy Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Road kill as humans. That’s even creepier.

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    Barbara gives some advice for artists or people who want to pursue art: "Don’t be afraid to tackle difficult and uncomfortable topics in your art. When I began working on this series in 2013, I received a lot of negative feedback from friends and family who couldn’t understand why I was painting such weird pictures. Although I sometimes had my own doubts, I stayed true to my vision for four years before I started getting positive feedback. Looking back, I’m happy that I didn’t give up on this idea just to please others."

    #18

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some ppl find this ridiculous and laugh about the pro animal activists. Just put ursefl in the place of the one whos being abused or tortured. Thats empathy.

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    #19

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    TimesNewLogan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact: alligators were an endangered species in the late 1800s and early 1900s, to the point where there were often more hunters than gators in the swamps and bayous during hunting season. Thankfully, they were saved through conservation efforts. This is referenced in Red Dead Redemption 2.

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    The artist tells us more about herself, her life, and her journey: "I grew up in a small village in County Galway, Ireland. After graduating with a fine art degree from GMIT Ireland in 2005, I lived in Southern California for almost eight years before spontaneously moving to Berlin, Germany in 2013."

    #21

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Kennedy Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Terrible. If you show people who do this stuff these pictures. They make me feel bad. Think about how you’d feel.

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    "The goal of my art is not to preach about what’s right or wrong. Because of the topics in my work, some people assume that I’m trying to shove a political agenda down their throats, but really I’m just an artist exploring an idea and learning more about the world every day. I actually ate meat for most of my life, but as a result of my research for this art series, I began to question my own lifestyle and became vegetarian."

    #22

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Kennedy Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s terrible ,lobsters getting boiled to death by hot water!

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    #23

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Phica Afton
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I got a bird I would let them out to stretch every hour

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    #24

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    #25

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Btw this is in hydra, greece. Nice place, but the donkeys... man its so sad 😢, all under a roof, waiting to be used to carry a person in an upway hill... its too cruel.

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    #26

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Sandy Kavanaugh
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't forget the dead pile for male babies.

    Arctic Fox Lover
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let's not forget that they forcefully impregnate them so they can produce milk, and then kill the babies if they're male because they're of no use to them :D

    Christina Uhlir
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope that you do NOT consume dairy, Mustn't eat the mango? You are better off by eating mango.

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    Elizabeth Gardner
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    appalling to think that people actually do this to their pregnant cows, then the calves are taken off them once born and left to die if not needed.

    JD Lee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cows have to get pregnant in order to start producing milk... it doesn’t just happen.

    Suzy the observer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Soy, almond, oat, etc. Cruelty-free and in many cases, no GMO's.

    SlapShot16
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that is fricken disgusting and sd

    Master Paragon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we have a weird relationship with cows.

    Mustn’t eat the mango 🥭
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For the people that don’t know it’s only cows that produce milk... women do for children

    Uber Mensch
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Females will produce milk for a REALLY long time as long as it's being consumed. Human women have been known to produce milk for upwards of 3 *years*.

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    Michael Mac Innis
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Archer Harris
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lol I do this for my job. The cows at the farm are happy tho.

    Amanda Hunter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The pharma Wyeth also have Mare farms in Canada where Mares are continually impregnated and their urine collected. That's how the HRT, PRE MARE IN is made. Pregnant mares urine

    Cathy Carey
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They don't show them taking away the calves and the mothers' sadness and distress.

    Amy Winnett
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol, its like something from a horror film

    Christina Uhlir
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ....and it's very easy to end this horrific cruelty once and for all. Do NOT consume dairy, switch to plant-based milk and plant-based milk products!!! They taste great. You would save these suffering animals and, you would be rewarded with good health. I can't understand how could this perverse, totally unnatural yet customary practice be so freely accepted; I'm not talking about animal suffering - who (?) would be bothered by that, right? I'm talking about the obvious facts: 1 - no other creature - mammal drinks mother's milk after weaning, let alone the milk of another species. 2 - Animal milk protein, called casein, is very dissimilar from human protein and greatly contributes (together with strong animal proteins in meat and eggs) to chronic, painful inflammations in the human body - such as arthritis, chronic diseases - such as diabetes (which, by the way, can be reversed by WHOLE plant-based (vegan) diet, heart diseases/clogged arteries, various cancers, and other maladies.

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    Sharon Ingram
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Milk. Some people really don’t know milk comes from cows. They think it, like meat or poultry, comes from the grocery store.

    trifon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Milk comes from any mammalian after giving birth, and only for a limited time. Mouse, human, dog, dolphin, cow, goat, or sheep alike.

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    Amy Winnett
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #27

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Caffeinated Hedgehog
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What are they using as bait that is irresistable to humans??

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    #28

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Kyra Drachenlady
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    not to forget the forced breeding like with prized horses or dogs

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    #29

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Jayne Kyra
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On another note: F P.E.T.A.. They steal pets, euthanize 90% of animals they "save" and are a deplorable organization.

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    #30

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh no... one of the worst... just wanna crush their f****n skulls when i see those psychos slamming baby seals

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    #31

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Theron Carpenter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! noooooooooo!

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    #32

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Jayne Kyra
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do not EVER keep fish in a glass bowl.

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    #33

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    DUXX_
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this one isn't as bad as the others

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    #34

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Emilycookie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i hate shelters like this. there is a cat shelter near me that i foster from, it has cages but they are big with plenty of room for the cats to roam, and they rotate cats being in the big rooms with a bunch of cat toys and other cats.

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    #35

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh this is terrible... animals tortured for stunts in circus

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    #36

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    NinjaWolfy94
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one just reminds me of my dog Tara (a malamute). She LOVES little dogs, but, understandably, until the owner knows she's friendly and won't eat their chihuahua, they don't let their dog say hi. That's why dog parks are awesome.

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    #37

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Lorelei
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m still thinking- is it funny? Is it gruesome?

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    #39

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once my family discovered a little mom mouse with all her little baby mice in our house. So cute, so precious. Little mouse mom rushed out the place when her nest was discovered. Everyone in my family was like “ dont touch it! Ull get infected!” Yeah they would have been right. They wanted to kill them, to just get rid of them like if they were toxic garbage. NO FCKIN WAY! WHY THE FCK? I took the babies away n put them in place where they would be safe. I thought that's the best i could do under the conditions in that moment. After a moment, the little babies where gone. I really hope her mom found her and took them to a better place and didnt eat then or something like that... the worst case scenario was a death/death fate for the mice family.

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    #40

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Phica Afton
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why whenever there is an insect inside I pick it up and put it outsode

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    #41

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    Freya the Wanderer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Far too often we treat animals as objects, as though they have no feelings. Sometimes we do the same to members of our own species.

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    #44

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    william wang
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can someone please explain what is in this picture?

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    #45

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    #46

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Terilee Bruyere
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While I imagine it's confusing for bees to be smoked and have a portion of their honey harvested, bee keepers care for their bees and with the steep decline in wild populations many crops would also be in trouble.

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    #48

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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    #49

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

    barbaradanielsart Report

    Bernardita Valdés
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Didnt this happened with cows and pigs but they were burried alive?

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    #50

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    Sista of the moon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are they being spayed/neutered? Bc this is the right thing to do.

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    #51

    Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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