Miriam Deprez, Zoocation (Student (ATEP 2017))

Primates have long been known for their intelligence and close genetic ties to humans. However, the idea of caging them for our pleasure and to further our understanding of their nature is ironic at best, yet at it's heart - cruel and degrading. With 175 million people visiting zoos annually - able to come and go as they please - Zoocation is a response to how we use animals for entertainment and decoration. This work is a recognition of their ability as sentient creatures to feel; feel the fundamental loss of never being able to leave. Of becoming the living monuments to their own disappearance.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.