Sam Cikauskas, Peckin' Order, 17/20

This print in a response to the poultry industry in America. Every year 7 billion chickens are raised and slaughtered for food, which is more than all other land animals combined. Chickens are packed in filthy sheds by the thousands, causing diseases to spread. Naturally chickens have a pecking order, where the social hierarchy is shown though dominant males pecking the other chickens. Chickens will peck each other to death in the claustrophobic chaos. To prevent this from occurring the industry standard is to chop off the chick's beak with hot blades. These methods of raising chickens are cruel, inhumane, and need to be changed.

My work is greatly inspired by concerns that I have with contemporary society. The major issue I address in my work deals with the modern food industry in America. Specifically in my art, I explore topics such as factory farming and the consequences surrounding it, e.g., animal cruelty, pollution, and health issues. I address the nations fast food, artificial sweeteners and other unhealthy aspects of the system using satirical iconography. My goal is to raise awareness of social issues while constructively criticizing them.

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(www.samcikauskas.com, 2020)