Man Tattoos Pigs And Sells Them For A Ton

#1 Artist Wim Delvoye

With the growing popularity of tattoos, it's no wonder that they are becoming more creative and detailed in design. The tattoos that really pop out are the ones that get the most attention. But these tats are getting attention for a totally different reason than their detail. They are scribed on pigs.

Provocative Belgian artist Wim Delvoye first started tattooing pigs by collecting their skins from slaughterhouses in the U.S. in 1992. He then moved on to tattooing live pigs in 1997.

#2 He Moved His Live Studio To China When Activists Protested

When Belgian animal rights activists began complaining that his latest artwork was cruelty to animals, he moved his project to China and opened the Art Farm Pigs Growth Fund in 2005. The Chinese government has very lax restrictions on animal protection and Delvoye found the perfect location to begin his venture just outside of Beijing.

#3 His Designs Range From Cartoons To Intricate Patterns

The tattoos themselves are based on Delavoye's drawings, most of which range from his rendition of popular Disney characters, popular product brand logos like Louis Vuitton, Harley Davidson, Coca-Cola, and even the patterns branded on Russian prison inmates.

#4 Pigskin Is Easy To Tattoo

In many cultures, pigs are associated with negative characteristics such as dirtiness or even gluttony and greed. However, Delvoye can't help but compare the nudity, the texture and the color of pigskin to human skin. He claims that the pig's skin is very similar to that of a human when tattooing, and says it is much easier to work with.

#5 The Pigs Are Harvested For Their Tattooed Skin

The tattoos grow in size and expand as the pig grows since he inks most of them when they are still piglets. Art lovers are actually purchasing the pigs to watch them grow, and then they are harvested for their skin. The pigs can be bought from the Art Farm and have them stuffed by a taxidermist or have the painted skin framed, and the meat processed for consumption.

#6 Pigs Are Put To Sleep While Worked On

In order to tattoo the pigs, they sedate them, shave them, and apply petroleum jelly to their skin while sometimes up to three tattoo artists work on the pigs. The Art Farm has several tattoo artists on staff as well as a veterinarian and caretakers for the pigs. This has process has caused a lot of controversy and has sparked an outcry from animal rights organizations worldwide. It takes several weeks to finish one design on each pig's back.

#7 PETA Is Questioning The Practice And Artistry

Despite the fact that Delvoye claims the pigs live a spoiled life while they're alive, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has denounced his 'artistry'. A spokesperson for the animals rights organization said Mr. Delvoye's actions would have left the pigs ‘sore, scared and confused'. He also said, ‘Talented and visionary artists do not rely on cruelty to animals to get attention.'

#8 Each Oinker Is Worth Its Weight

Recently, Delvoye sold several of the animals' skins for almost $80,000, and one piece, with a canvas featuring Disney characters, was sold to Chanel and made into two bags. Accessories company Louis Vuitton had four piglets tattooed and asked for them to be stuffed for exhibition upon their death once they are fully grown. They paid $76,000 for the set.

#9 The Art Of Provocation

Delvoye has made a career as an artist by creating pieces that contain an element of shock value like his 'feces machine' he had on exhibit in Belgium in 2002. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Delvoye stated: ‘Art must fascinate people and doing easy things is not a good way to seek fascination.' Delvoye once even tattooed a man's back and sold it as art, with the buyer being able to collect the man's skin once he has passed away.

Mr. Delvoye claims he is a vegetarian.