ADVERTISEMENT

Humans tend to take their habits for granted. Everything seems self-evident until the perspective shifts. It forces us to reflect on the way we are: humans are not all sunshine and rainbows, as the saying goes. We also have a darker side that we prefer to be swept under the rug.

Barbara Daniels has a calling to reveal these dark things that people do. She shifts the perspective by swapping roles of humans and animals, which in turn raises our awareness of how we behave with other animals, which is brutal and unethical most of the time. There's much room to grow for our species. Her illustrations are a sobering reminder that our society is far from perfect. Though we tend to admire the progress of our own species, we tend to forget that we did it at the price of others.

More info: Instagram | barbaradanielsart.com | Facebook | twitter.com

Barbara shared about her "Dominion over Man" with Bored Panda: "It was an unexpected surprise when this art came into my life. The idea of exploring the relationships between humans and animals first came to me while I was eating chicken wings on holiday in Strasbourg, France. I sketched what the situation might look like if the roles were reversed. The idea resonated with me from that moment on and I began to see the world in a new light. I started to focus on the role reversal concept after moving to Berlin in 2013."

"I learned so much from all the research I did for the artwork that I began to question my own lifestyle, and this led to my decision to become vegetarian. I still learn a lot about the world from each picture I create, and I've received a lot of positive feedback from many people inspired by my work. That really motivates me to continue with the 'Dominion over Man' series."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Barbara tells us what inspired her to create the comics: "The idea of exploring the relationships between humans and animals first came to me while I was eating chicken wings on holidays in Strasbourg, France. I sketched what the situation might look like if the roles were reversed. The idea resonated with me from that moment on and I began to see the world in a new light. I found endless sources of inspiration all around me in everyday life.

The artist also told us what the main goal of the illustrations is: "The goal of my art is to learn about our world by holding a mirror up to humanity and imagining life from the perspective of the many species dominated by the human race. It’s important to me to reverse each situation as accurately as possible, so I need to do a lot of research before beginning each piece. I learn so much from my research, and I receive a lot of feedback from people who believe that my work is spreading awareness."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Barbara tells us more about how she got into art: "I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a small village, art was a much-needed escape from everyday life with six brothers. Following my passion, I studied fine art at GMIT Ireland."

The artist mentioned what the most difficult part of these illustrations is: "The research I do for my work can be difficult, because it’s often very depressing. I tackle some pretty dark topics, and sometimes it affects my mood. Another difficult part of my work is the process itself. It takes about a month to complete each piece, and my chosen medium of pen and ink can be pretty unforgiving. Once that ink hits the watercolour paper, there’s no going back! Mistakes can’t be erased or covered up."

ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Artist Shows When Animals Take The Place Of Humans In Stunning Illustrations

barbaradanielsart Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kennedy Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eww what’s that in his mouth. Watching dogs fight is it fun at all. I don’t know how people watch this.

Terilee Bruyere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An ear. That is why fighting dogs have cropped ears. Makes it harder for other dogs to get a grip on them. People can be disgustingly cruel.

Load More Replies...
Pitbull Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a pitbull Dad I am saddend and disgusted at the idea of dogfighting. Pitties will go to the ends of the earth to make their hoomans happy. I wish that more hoomans would take the time to understand and love this lovabull breed.

Patterson Groff
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's really sad. Dogs were supposed to be "a man's best friend." I don't get how people actually like this. It's disgusting, to think that people actually find this "entertaining." It's really, really sad, to think that this, is reality.

Leah Pheonix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always hated dogfights. They could be with a loving home with a little boy and girl to play fetch with but instead they are getting bet on to die

CharliAnn Olney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish this horrible practice was punishable by more than a fine and a short prison sentence.

Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That will not happen until the law comes to realization that the link between animal cruelty and violence against humans is well scientifically established. The "law" needs to be reminded of that, and realization of it is responsibility of every single decent, humane person on this planet. Speak out against any forms of animal cruelty, for the sake of animals and our own.

Load More Replies...
ravn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just an MMA scene with terrier refs...staging fights between either species is f*****g awful.

Madison Medero
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they usually electrocute the weak animals or murder them in some bad way. disgusting

Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes, Shadowfall, how much human morality and ethics "advanced". "People" are trying to exterminate each other since the dawn of humanity, for very recognizable, clear reason.

Load More Replies...
Ara Noguera
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some sports are bloody. Even if the guys and girls who practice chose to do it, the fact that these sports are encouraged makes me sick. I don't get how violence in any way or form is OK. Also, this image made me think of wars.

Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If "sport" causes pain and suffering it is NOT sport, period!!!!! It is cruelty enjoyed by sub-human b*****l, evil monsters. I can assure you that animal guys and girls do not choose to practice, Ara.

Load More Replies...
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who the hell cares how many pounds of force it takes; what you should care about is how many "pounds" of pain it causes, Lil'.

Load More Replies...
AuditoryAssault
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

But doesn't this already happen? I think they call it MMA?

GaeFrog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's scripted and people don't fight to the death or get seriously hurt on purpose

Load More Replies...
sarah
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

But we already do watch humans fighting for entertainment ; it's called World Star

Pit bull Lover
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but do their trainers stab and poke at them? Ok I got my pitbull from a abused fighting ring. He still has scars from everything he went through. They hung him by his ribs on fences. I don't want you to ever compare dogfighting with wresting. The torture these dogs go through is nothing compared to whatever boxers/wrestlers have to do. Because unlike them these dogs don't have a choice.

Load More Replies...
Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Never been to boxing or mma or van dammes Bloodsport??

Susan Green
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those people choose to fight. Pitbulls that are raised for fighting, don’t have a choice. It’s horrific.

Load More Replies...
Terilee Bruyere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it's normal for them to have a crowd? Are you really naïve or joking?

Load More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Barbara tells us more about what topics she covers and tells us more about her style: "I cover all topics relating to animals in all aspects of modern life. Some of the topics are gruesome, while others are a bit more lighthearted. My style is a mix between realism and caricature, and I like to focus on details. I started to focus on the role reversal concept after moving to Berlin in 2013. I still have a long list of ideas for new pictures, so I will keep going with my 'Dominion over Man' series for some time to come."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The artist shares what inspired her to keep creating: "I really enjoy creating my own parallel universe with this art, and I still learn so much about our world from each picture I create. That alone would be enough to keep me going, but I also get motivation from the positive feedback I receive from people who are inspired by my work."

Barbara gives some advice for artists or people who want to pursue art: "Don’t be afraid to tackle difficult and uncomfortable topics in your art. When I began working on this series in 2013, I received a lot of negative feedback from friends and family who couldn’t understand why I was painting such weird pictures. Although I sometimes had my own doubts, I stayed true to my vision for four years before I started getting positive feedback. Looking back, I’m happy that I didn’t give up on this idea just to please others."

ADVERTISEMENT

The artist tells us more about herself, her life, and her journey: "I grew up in a small village in County Galway, Ireland. After graduating with a fine art degree from GMIT Ireland in 2005, I lived in Southern California for almost eight years before spontaneously moving to Berlin, Germany in 2013."

"The goal of my art is not to preach about what’s right or wrong. Because of the topics in my work, some people assume that I’m trying to shove a political agenda down their throats, but really I’m just an artist exploring an idea and learning more about the world every day. I actually ate meat for most of my life, but as a result of my research for this art series, I began to question my own lifestyle and became vegetarian."

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode