When Pigs Fly 

Editor: We’re looking at Lucia Heffernan's "When Pigs Fly," an oil painting depicting, well, a pig on an airplane. The absurdity of it is striking, but beyond that, it’s the incredible detail – the texture of the pig’s skin, the crinkling of the newspaper – that really holds my attention. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I see a potent commentary on the commodification of dreams. The material reality of flying – the plastic seat, the mass-produced headset – clashes ironically with the aspirational phrase “when pigs fly.” The pig itself, an animal historically linked to labor and sustenance, is now a consumer, passively experiencing a luxury once considered impossible. Editor: So, you're seeing the work as more than just a humorous image; it's about the changing status of, and access to, commodities? Curator: Precisely. Heffernan’s technique, using oil paint – a historically valued material – to depict a mundane scene, highlights the tension between traditional artistic value and contemporary consumer culture. Consider also the labour involved in factory farming of pigs versus the pig's current leisure; a biting social commentary on labor disparity is embedded in the painting. Is it challenging our traditional perception of labor versus leisure? Editor: It’s certainly made me think about the way we consume, not just goods, but experiences, too. And to consider the means by which access is enabled and for whom? The newspaper adds another layer, suggesting awareness, maybe even complicity, in this system. Curator: Absolutely. It's a complex piece. By examining the materials and the cultural context, we can uncover the social relations embedded in the seemingly simple image of a pig on a plane. Editor: This was eye opening. I will certainly be researching this topic further, thank you. Curator: The pleasure was all mine.