Discover the power of art in farm animal activism

On January 13 at 7 p.m., Twyla Francois, a farmed animal cruelty investigator who has worked with several organizations including Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Farmed Animals, will give a presentation called “Making the Invisible Visible: Advocating for Farmed Animals” in The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) Classroom. The presentation will focus on using art as a tool for animal activism.

The presentation is part of The WHS’s Farm Animal Compassion Committee Speaker Series. This

presentation will not include graphic images of animal cruelty, but will instead focus on intrinsic love for animals. It will encourage people to have the same compassion for farmed animals that they would for animals traditionally kept as pets.

“Art can give us a sense of discovery when we figure out the message of a piece. That sense of ownership over the message can inspire us to take action,” says Francois.

Francois realized during her long career of cruelty investigating that graphic footage and images of suffering doesn’t reach everybody. She began painting as a way to cope with the mistreatment of farmed animals she saw, and now she uses her art to reach and educate people about the plight of farmed animals in a gentle, yet compelling and effective way.

“Art can reach people who turn away from graphic photos and videos. And it can be even more emotional, as much of the interpretation is up to the viewer,” says Francois.

Her work as a farmed animal cruelty investigator has been the subject of numerous documentaries, and her investigations have led to closures of facilities, animal cruelty charges and convictions, corporate animal welfare policy reforms, government-commissioned research, and the rescue of abused and neglected farmed animals.

The WHS is dedicated to promoting the welfare and dignity of all animals, including farmed animals.

For more information about Francois and her art, visit twylafrancois.com.

Event Information