art by alev art
Portraits from the Lab
Art & testimony confronting the human and animal cost of experimentation
Portraits from the Lab centers the often-invisible psychological and emotional experiences of people who work with animals in research laboratories.
The project invited individuals with firsthand experience in animal research to write a personal reflection about an animal—or animals—they worked with, focusing not only on the relationship they shared, but also on the psychological harm, moral distress, or ethical conflict they experienced as a result of their work.
These reflections were shared with ten professional artists who created original portraits inspired by both the animals and the lab workers' internal experiences. Additionally, each artist contributed an artist statement reflecting on the lab worker's story, their creative process, and the meaning behind the finished piece.
Finally, each author shared their initial reaction to the artwork that brought their story to life.
Together, the stories, artwork, artist statements, and author reactions to the artwork illuminate not only the individuality of the animals, but also the emotional weight, tension, and lasting impact carried by the humans who cared for them.
Click on each of the ten portraits below to read the accompanying lab worker story and artist statement.
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Marshall
Art by Kellie Been
I just wanted to send a small note after spending time with Portraits from the Lab. My heart broke reading the reflections and seeing the artwork - for the animals, of course, but also for the people who carried these experiences. What struck me is how the project humanizes the workers who changed, the ones who were able to see the animals as individuals and feel the weight of what they were part of. It’s so easy to flatten them or even to hate them, and instead this project showed their moral distress with honesty and compassion.
Thanks so much to everyone for creating something that holds all of that - the animals, the people, the grief, and the possibility of change. It’s a powerful project, and I’m grateful it exists.
sara