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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

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

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Bernardita Valdés
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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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Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

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Magdalena Zając
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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."

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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.

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."

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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."

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."

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Kennedy Johnson
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Terilee Bruyere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An ear. That is why fighting dogs have cropped ears. Makes it harder for other dogs to get a grip on them. People can be disgustingly cruel.

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Pitbull Dad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a pitbull Dad I am saddend and disgusted at the idea of dogfighting. Pitties will go to the ends of the earth to make their hoomans happy. I wish that more hoomans would take the time to understand and love this lovabull breed.

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Patterson Groff
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's really sad. Dogs were supposed to be "a man's best friend." I don't get how people actually like this. It's disgusting, to think that people actually find this "entertaining." It's really, really sad, to think that this, is reality.

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Leah Pheonix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always hated dogfights. They could be with a loving home with a little boy and girl to play fetch with but instead they are getting bet on to die

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CharliAnn Olney
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish this horrible practice was punishable by more than a fine and a short prison sentence.

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

That will not happen until the law comes to realization that the link between animal cruelty and violence against humans is well scientifically established. The "law" needs to be reminded of that, and realization of it is responsibility of every single decent, humane person on this planet. Speak out against any forms of animal cruelty, for the sake of animals and our own.

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ravn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just an MMA scene with terrier refs...staging fights between either species is f*****g awful.

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Madison Medero
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they usually electrocute the weak animals or murder them in some bad way. disgusting

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

Oh yes, Shadowfall, how much human morality and ethics "advanced". "People" are trying to exterminate each other since the dawn of humanity, for very recognizable, clear reason.

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Ara Noguera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some sports are bloody. Even if the guys and girls who practice chose to do it, the fact that these sports are encouraged makes me sick. I don't get how violence in any way or form is OK. Also, this image made me think of wars.

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

If "sport" causes pain and suffering it is NOT sport, period!!!!! It is cruelty enjoyed by sub-human b*****l, evil monsters. I can assure you that animal guys and girls do not choose to practice, Ara.

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

Who the hell cares how many pounds of force it takes; what you should care about is how many "pounds" of pain it causes, Lil'.

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AuditoryAssault
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2 years ago

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But doesn't this already happen? I think they call it MMA?

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GaeFrog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's scripted and people don't fight to the death or get seriously hurt on purpose

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sarah
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2 years ago

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But we already do watch humans fighting for entertainment ; it's called World Star

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Pit bull Lover
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but do their trainers stab and poke at them? Ok I got my pitbull from a abused fighting ring. He still has scars from everything he went through. They hung him by his ribs on fences. I don't want you to ever compare dogfighting with wresting. The torture these dogs go through is nothing compared to whatever boxers/wrestlers have to do. Because unlike them these dogs don't have a choice.

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Requiem
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2 years ago

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Never been to boxing or mma or van dammes Bloodsport??

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Susan Green
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those people choose to fight. Pitbulls that are raised for fighting, don’t have a choice. It’s horrific.

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

Because it's normal for them to have a crowd? Are you really naïve or joking?

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#13

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

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Kennedy Johnson
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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."

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Bernardita Valdés
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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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."

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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."

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Bernardita Valdés
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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TimesNewLogan
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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."

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Kennedy Johnson
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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."

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

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Bernardita Valdés
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Jayne Kyra
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Bernardita Valdés
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Emilycookie
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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NinjaWolfy94
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Bernardita Valdés
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Phica Afton
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Terilee Bruyere
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2 years ago DotsCreated 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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Note: this post originally had 51 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.