Human and farm animal parallels

Photo by Joan Brace O’Neal, in the show “Unplowed Realities,’’ at Mad River Valley Arts, Waitsfield, Vt., through Nov. 19.

The gallery says:

“Unplowed Realities’’  examines farm, food, and the dairy cow as interconnected systems of survival, care, and sacrifice. The exhibition considers our relationship to land, food, and the economy at a moment when small farmers face mounting pressures to sustain their livelihoods. Unlike industrial-scale operations, small farms prioritize diversification, stewardship, and local food systems, emphasizing resilience, ecological balance, and community nourishment.

“Through the portrait genre, Joan O'Neal engages the concept of the animal gaze, positioning the dairy cow as a subject rather than a resource. Her attentive drawing depictions of cows invite reflection on empathy, labor, and shared vulnerability across species, revealing ethical and visual parallels between animal and human lives.’’