"This exhibition of Radovan Kraguly’s work is overdue and greatly to be welcomed. It will show how this artist’s prophetic early and continuing warnings have come true, with the BSE and foot and mouth crises of recent years, and the politics of over-production still preventing the relief of famine and starvation".

Isabel Hitchman,
Former Senior Officer, Visual Arts, Arts Council of Wales.

For over 30 years people’s lack of respect towards each other and the environment has been at the heart of Kraguly’s art. More specifically, his work has drawn attention to the inhumanity and dangers associated with intensive livestock farming. This exhibition, and its associated educational programme, will come at a time when there is considerable public concern over a way of living in the developed world that gives rise to great inequalities in society, and threats to the environment through global warming and species depletion. It will also come in the years following the devastation of foot and mouth; the worst crisis ever to face rural Britain and a consequence of unsustainable farming policies and an emphasis on production at all costs. The intention of the artist and curator is to select a major Welsh public gallery to initiate the touring exhibition and to work towards a tour which will include a showing in England, up to three showings elsewhere in Europe and possibly one in America. The plan is to accompany the exhibition with a catalogue and an integrated programme of educational activities which will explore the social and environmental issues that it raises. An appropriate programme will be established for each country in collaboration with the respective galleries and relevant environmental organisations.

 

"Though the end of the twentieth century can only be profoundly depressing in the context of animal welfare and ecology of the planet, Kraguly maintains in spite of this that now is the time for universal reform; in education, culture, ethics, economics, in every aspect of society which contributes to our idea of what civilisation is and should be".

Donald Howarth 2001