A controversial Belgian contemporary artist who wows critics with his work at home in Europe also runs a peculiar operation in China – tattooing pigs.
Wim Delvoye, whose work graced the modern art wing of Brussels’ prestigious Palais des Beaux Arts as recently as last month, has established his own ‘art farm’ where he tattoos on the backs of live pigs.
The farm – 90 minutes outside Beijing in a remote village – has been operating for a couple of years, complete with a staff of Chinese and international inkers as well as caretakers for the pigs.
All kinds of designs are tattooed on the pigs’ backs, from roses to Louis Vuitton logos to religious imagery.
Delvoye, seen above at the gates of the farm, first came to international prominence with a bizarre machine called a Cloaca that can manufacture feces. He is also the creator of ‘Anal Kiss’, a depiction of a human anus on canvas.
As for the farm, the opinion of animal welfare groups is unclear, but Delvoye undoubtedly faces fewer restrictions upon the treatment of live animals in China than in Europe.
And he doesn’t stop at live pigs either. He also tattoos pig hides, and has even painted stuffed pigs. This cheery fellow below, stuffed and tattooed in 2004, goes by the name of Slobodan.
For his part, Delvoye sees nothing wrong with the practice. He claims the pigs barely notice the tattooing, and are unaware they have been tattooed afterwards.
He also says that he believes pigs are a close relation to humans. Closer, he says, than most humans would be willing to admit.
Decide for yourself after watching this British TV news footage of the farm.
Artist Tattoos Pigs At China Farm | San Diego – Local Home Based Businesses
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Undercoverm
Sick people. Its very painfull for this pigs . Motherfuckers if i see something with my eyes i kill you for it .
Gamerooms
Yeah I have heard the same thing that most tattoo artist practice on dead pigs here in america because pigs skin is the closest to human skin in texture. Do people actually think that putting tattoos on pigs is cruel??? I mean for godsakes we kill them and eat them!
tentacles_chan
I think its cruel. I don't think a pig stands up and says 'I want a tattoo please'. And what about the risk of infection?
Maziar
infection is not as peril as humankind is. Wim protects them by changing them from food to art.
uggfashion
a little creative,but very cruel
Ryan
That dude, is getting tattood on a table beside a pig, by some sketchy guy who does not wear rubber gloves and probably didnt even bother to wipe down the table. Hep C anyone? mmm
Anon
How much pain does a pig feel through it's skin?
Do they feel less pain?
If the pig requires sedation, I think it's wrong.
If the pig sits there of its' own free will during the operation, I think it's fine.
Blog Tactic
The tattoo artist has too much free time. But his work and the media (pig skin) used is indeed original and creative.
http://www.blogtactic.com
schizandrol
table beside a pig, by some sketchy guy who does not wear rubber gloves and probably didnt even bother to wipe
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Vicky Kratz-Matous
he claims the pigs feel no pain – then why, as he is shading in the wording, does the pig squeal and move? I’m tattooed, and I know for sure that shading hurts…this guy is a twisted liar…plain and simple – its wrong…
Maria Dale
well I’m sorry there is noway I would let a man tattoo me with out glove’s and I don’t think the pig asked for a tattoo plus the tattoo’s look shit anyway by the way which one’s the pig must be the good looking one with the cute ear’s xxx.
Amadeus Wustlich
What a load of rubbish! That’s not art, it’s bullshit without any respect for the animals!
Ama Ewa Kouassi
The “artist” should be examined his brain.
Jodie York
We saw him/her squirm in discomfort with our own eyes, you demented lying f ck.
Tracey Gardiner Young
we choose to be tattooed…pigs don’t…they have no free will thanks to us humans…i have to say I’m not impressed one little bit…gee another human exploiting a fellow creautre we share this planet with why am I not surprised…god we are a pathetic species…Txx.
Suzanne Ford
Times like these we need a “dislike” button. This is disgusting…please let there be karma :o(
Shaz Jarrad
Pig skin is how majority of Tattoists get their practice as it is so close to human skin.
Shaz Jarrad
Ps have you watched ‘Kill it, Cut it use it” on ABC I view docos? It is horrible yet it clearly shows how many products we use everyday that contain animals. You would be shocked I know i have been. They have had Cow,Sheep. & episode 3 is Pig. It’s unbelievable & an eye opener esp for Vegans to know what everyday items contain animals & are not always mentioned on the ingredients. I advise all to watch it even though it isn’t nice as they show from the beginning animals getting killed to the end consumer products.
George Panagaris
I pressed like not for the deed but for your comment Traycey ,,, the very reason I fuckin hate a lot of humans as they walk as though they have ownership of this planet and it’s animals
:{(
Tracey Gardiner Young
yes shaz ive watched the first episodes of kill it…cook it …eat it…found that highly disturbing…the next part of the series that you’ve mentioned is equally disturbing as well…its astounding how much everyday products contain or are made from animal parts…ie bone china…tennis racquet strings…its mind blowing…T xx
Rhyan Xyvenn
dont judge me and my people because of some asian… gtfo youre a pathetic specimen for generalizing the entire human population based on a other people.
Ariella Trotti
try to your body, I think pigs don’t care abaut your fuking tatoo and they don’t ask you nothing, like humans.
Amanda Tracy
another warped individual…….poor pigs, more intelligent than the idoit with the needle! Karma is coming…god help the human race for the sins we do unto others!
Mark Bastian
You fucking sick and twisted fucking Chinese man. Your people are about to become, if not already the most powerful country in the world and yet you still practice barbaric and totally out of date rituals. Stop being so fucking evil to people below you and most of all stop the cruelty to animals that you do on a 24/7 basis. Only a few days ago I watched a video of Chinese people hanging up and skinning animals alive, can you imagine how painful that must have been for these poor animals….Skinned and then left in a heap to die a fucking painful death…Better we skin you alive and throw you in a heap and left to die. What you practice is evil, barbaric, sick and completely out of date….WE ARE NOW IN THE 20TH CENTURY, SORT YOURSELVES OUT YOU FUCKING HORRIBLE HUMAN BEINGS.
Shari L. Perkins
What a piece of shit! All animals feel pain you freaking moron! People like you don’t deserve the oxygen you consume!
Claire Jayne Udall
He calls himself a vegetarian! I call him a bloody bastard!