The Incredible Power of ARTIVISM

This weekend, we had a great moment of hope that I want to share with you.

We were doing a photography pop-up at a furniture store in our town. We set up a display in the store and shoppers, who came to look at furniture, could also purchase our photographs. And of course, we donate 10% of every sale to the sanctuary at which the individual lives.

As you might imagine, this was not a vegan audience. This was the general population. 

I was very interested to see if the general public finds value in our work.

The answer, surprisingly, was a resounding YES. People loved to look at rescued farmed animals. We sold many photographs, and donated a lot of money to sanctuaries. 

BUT that wasn’t the moment of hope I’m talking about. 

What was even more surprising and even more fulfilling were the conversations we had with people. 

Out of the about 100 people we talked to over the course of the weekend, only one was vegan. So we had a lot of interesting conversations.

Two people were completely confused by the idea of “rescued” farmed animals. They both said something along the lines of, “I didn’t know farm animals needed rescuing.” 

One guy asked three separate times, “What do you mean rescued farm animals?”... “wait…I just don’t understand. What do they need rescuing from!?”... “I still don’t get it!” 

It was honestly kind of cute how confused he was. Disturbing at the same time, of course. But he left asking for our card saying that he will watch our films to learn more. 

So before we spoke, it wasn’t even within his universe that farmed animals need rescuing, and now, he’s committed to learning more. 

PROGRESS.

But that isn’t the moment of hope I’m talking about, either. 

You might remember a couple weeks ago, I wrote a blog about how we met a store clerk that told us this story: 

 “When I was a little girl, we would visit my cousins’ farm in Wisconsin. They were sheep farmers. Us kids would run around and chase the sheep. We loved jumping on their backs and riding them. The sheep would try to buck us off and we would fight to hold on. It was so much fun!”

Well, our photography pop up was in the very same store. And the very same clerk was working that day. 

In the morning, she came over and looked at our photographs. We had a little explanation of who we were, including our name, “Veganography.” 

She asked, “Veganography…hmmm…so do vegans believe in eating meat?” 

I said, “No, we do not consume any animal products. We don’t eat meat, dairy, or eggs.” 

She then asked, “But are you okay with other people eating meat?” 

I said, “Well, our mission is to educate and inspire people to include more plant based choices in their daily lives.” 

She then said that she believes that animals should be treated humanely. And she conceded that in our current food system, they aren’t.

I knew what she was saying - it’s an excuse often given in response to meeting a vegan. Humane treatment, humane slaughter, essentially excuses for maintaining the status quo. 

BUT I did not call this out. I tried a different approach. 

I said, “I absolutely agree. I think animals deserve dignity, respect, and autonomy over their own bodies.” I wanted her to feel like we are on the same side. 

Then she said something kind of shocking. 

She said, “Bodily autonomy…I don’t know about that. I mean, they’re just animals.”

So, that was our starting point! 

But over the course of the day, she kept coming back. I could tell she was definitely intrigued by us and our artwork. 

She told us the story of riding the sheep when she was a child. This time, we were prepared. 

John, Co-Founder of Veganography, said in response to that story, “Oh! Were the sheep friendly?” He wanted to get her thinking from the sheep’s perspective.

She said, “Well, yes they were friendly. But not when we were riding them. They tried to buck us off. I guess they probably didn’t like that very much.” 

RIGHT THERE is a huge shift. She started to think from the animal’s point of view, instead of the human’s point of view. 

PROGRESS.

We then told her the story of Cheerio the sheep, who was born at a research facility and saved from slaughter at birth. 

The photograph that changed everything.

She loved hearing Cheerio’s story. She commented on the beauty of another photograph, Domino the cow, and we told her Domino’s story too. 

She said, “Oh my gosh, I love all these stories. It makes you think twice about eating them!” 

PROGRESS.

Another time, she told us that she tried going vegetarian when she was a teenager. But she lost so much weight and became so malnourished that she had to start eating meat again. 

I told her, “yes, any diet that isn’t properly planned can fall short. But all protein on earth is originally made by plants, not animals. The animals are just the middlemen. You can absolutely get enough protein on a properly planned plant based diet.”

And then she admitted that she was a teenager at the time and had no idea what she was doing. So it would probably be better now. 

And then John said, “I mean, look at Emma. Does she look sickly to you?”

Vegan Strong!

She laughed and said no, absolutely not. 

PROGRESS.

She kept coming back to talk to us over the course of the 10 hours we were there. And we kept meeting her with kindness, joy, and storytelling. 

At the end of the day, she came back one final time. 

She said, “You know, at the beginning of the day I thought you guys were crazy. You can’t give up meat! But the stories you told just made a huge difference. I really see the animals as individuals now.” 

And then, she said something shocking again. 

She said, “I have to tell you…you’ve converted me.” 

And then she bought Domino’s portrait. 

This portrait, along with the story card detailing Domino’s name and story, is now hanging on her wall.

ULTIMATE PROGRESS.

This was such an incredibly huge shift. It even shocked me. 

To go from saying that animals don’t deserve bodily autonomy to saying she’s been “converted” and hanging a portrait of a cow on her wall…within a single day. That’s pretty amazing. 

We never once said the word “vegan.” We never once told her to change her diet. We never once accused her of cruelty. 

We simply told stories. We simply led by example.

That’s the power of ARTIVISM.

Activism through art.

Art, such as films or photographs, can get difficult conversations started without all the antagonism of traditional activism. 

Don’t get me wrong, we need all kinds of activism - protests, civil disobedience, etc. It’s all impactful. 

But artivism can often reach people who wouldn’t normally engage, like this woman. 

Art gives you a construct within which you can tell stories. 

If I just went up to this woman and started talking about Cheerio, she probably wouldn’t listen. 

But when prompted by a beautiful photograph of Cheerio, the story is welcomed. Which leads to more discussion, more changes in perspective. More progress.

So, my hope is renewed. It is possible to create great change through great art. 

And meeting people with kindness, leading by example, and unwavering persistence is the way to do it.