The word ‘Verbloemen’ comes from the Dutch language. The word contains the word ‘bloem’ which means ‘flower’. Literally, the word ‘Verbloemen’ means to cover something in flowers. More figuratively, it means to mask or disguise something that is inherently unpleasant, in order to make it seem pleasant to someone else

This concept is utilized in many aspects of life to mask unjust things by covering them up or camouflaging them.

With the treatment of animals, we see this explicitly in pleasant packaging of animal derived products, the use of phrases that make us imagine nice environments, pointing the finger to other countries stating that ‘they are worse than us in regards to animal treatment’, or through ridiculing those that disagree with these treatments.

While researching the treatment of birds that are bred for consumption, I came across footage of living birds being plucked of their feathers for a variety of uses, for example furniture stuffing, clothing and bedding. It was something I had been already aware of, but had not been confronted with before.

While being plucked alive, the birds are hung by their feet, forming an unnatural, sometimes nearly unrecognisable silhouette. I traced their silhouettes, and incorporated them into a design for a throw pillow, an item that is used to improve the aesthetic qualities of a couch, chair or bed.

The outwards design of these pillows no longer acts to mask the fact that its innards are the product of an animal suffering. Its design incorporates the moment of suffering inflicted, but the audiences unfamiliarity with the plucking practice allows them to unsee the grotesque nature of the pattern.

The piece is an effort to show the suffering, while highlighting how even when we are made aware of inherent abuse, it can still be hard to see through the ‘Verbloemde’ cover. The pillows are at once a representation of suffering and death, as well as a bright, colourful adornment to a couch or bed.