On Saturday 12th July 2025, members of Speciesism.wtf by Artist Stephanie Lane, performed ‘Poultry IsNot Human(e)’.A family of 4 dressed in summer attire enjoyed their meal amongst other diners on New Road, Brighton. They celebrated their unusual roasted meat at the centre of the table. A tradition that is widely accepted when it comes to chickens and turkeys and is barely ever questioned.
Speciesism’s art installations put humans in the position of farmed animals to evoke empathy from the audience. A female Farmer is close by retelling the audience how her meat is humane and high welfare.
Observers make their own judgements, some which are often weird and wonderful and others having lightbulb moments.
Amber Rose Morgan, Art Guide asked a member of the public “what do you think of the art installation” and they replied “It’s like a punch in the face”
Another said “a mum told me that she tries to be vegan, and I asked her teenage son how the artwork made him feel. He said it was sad and made him uncomfortable. I told him about the conditions in the poultry industry. He said veganism feels strange and that he’d feel like the odd one out since his friends aren’t vegan and he just wants to fit in. I reminded him that his choices matter and that every decision he makes can save lives. His mum said she appreciated him hearing it from someone else. They thanked me, and it felt like a real eye opener” Lydia, Art Guide
With 85% of farmed animals now being factory farmed, most chickensare raised intensely (up to 40,000 per barn).
Even free range and organic are factory farmed despite public perception influenced by false marketing. They never see daylight and live in a their own excrement which causes them painful burns to their feet and legs.
They are fed growth hormones in order to grow them from a chick to an oversized chicken in just 6 weeks, at which point they’re slaughtered. For many of them, their legs and hearts give way, under their unnatural body weight. With delicate and painful bones they are thrown into cages to be sent to slaughter by electrocution and throat slitting or to be gassed.
Speciesism’s art performances reflect culture. We ask the public “is this a great representation of our culture?”
When customs and traditions cause suffering & exploitation to sentient beings, it is time to question the need for change”
Quotes: Stephanie Lane, Speciesim.wtf Founder:
“Art institutions worldwide have a responsibility to deliver inclusive perspectives regarding all sentient beings to our modern-day culture, now more than ever. There is no place for speciesist collections and exhibitions which only perpetuate immeasurable harm against the most oppressed beings on earth.
It is time for the art world to be honest on the matter, to reflect the audience whom they seek to engage with critically, and to inspire change for all beings and the future of our planet.”
Susan Clarke, Event Coordinator: “Stephanie Lane’s art installations have engaged and alarmed audiences throughout the world, and this is another opportunity to see her unique expression of the inequality afforded to farmed animals and the cruelty of our food chain!
Background: SPECIESISM.WTF is an arts-based organisation founded by Artist Stephanie Lane, specialising in compelling installations and performance art, with a sole focus on speciesism. By exploring the theme of speciesism, Stephanie aims to ignite a collective consciousness that recognises the inherent worth of non-human beings, regardless of their species. The glaring omission of this urgent topic in the arts globally is a red flag which no longer represents our culture in its growing awareness of ethics surrounding the topic, coupled by the detrimental effects it has on climate change and the planet. Stephanie Lane was a finalist for the Women in Art Prize UK 2024.
Photography: Poppy May & Prue Heron
