This drawing of a glass of milk reveals, within its reflective surface, the image of a calf being taken from its mother on a dairy farm.

Milk is often perceived as a wholesome and natural staple, yet its production relies on the repeated impregnation of female cows to maintain milk supply. Cows are artificially inseminated and give birth year after year, while their calves are typically removed within the first 24 hours. Mother cows bellow and search for their young for days, experiencing clear distress, while the calves are sent into the veal or beef industries, or raised to replace their mothers in the same cycle.

The physical toll of this system is severe. Dairy cows frequently suffer from lameness and mastitis due to the strain placed on their bodies, and are slaughtered at an average of 2.5 years old—despite having a natural lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

In this work, the glass of milk invites viewers to look beyond what appears normal and harmless, and to consider the lives and suffering embedded in our everyday food choices.