It’s true, I do love sheep. I have the necklace and the coffee mug to prove it.
Sheep are a truly misunderstood animal. They have been viewed as “stupid”, “brainless” and “followers” for so long that it’s difficult to persuade people otherwise. The only way to change people’s views about sheep is to introduce them to sheep. They aren’t mindless clones who all look the same. They all have different personalites, likes and dislikes. They follow each other for protection as they don’t have any other way to save themselves from predators, not because they can’t think for themselves!
It is said that sheep can recognise up to 50 different sheep faces and 10 different humans faces, but I’d say they can recognise much more than this.
This article is the latest concerning the intelligence of sheep.
I always thought sheep were lovely, but didn’t start observing and interacting with them properly unitl 2002 when I was working on my body of work “Sentient Beings”. I spent lots of time at a local children’s farm where the sheep were quite nervous and anxious. One girl stood out from the rest for me. I called her Goldilocks. She had such high cheekbones and was always wary of me, but also incredibly curious. This is her below.
This childrens farm is now closed and I have no idea where she, or all the other animals are, which is quite distressing. I hope they’re ok.
I then met Charlotte from Edgars’ Mission farm sanctuary in Willowmavin, Victoria. She is such a gentle, lovely girl.
She was my favourite sheep in the whole world until this boy sauntered up to me and checked me out.
His name was Melbourne. He was tough on the outside and a total softy on the inside and he would not tolerate being told what to do. Every single time I visited he would walk up to me and inspect my jacket or cardigan (he liked clothing it seems. A wannabe fashionista) and get a hug, whilst the rest of the flock stood back. I hope I was one of those human faces he could remember. I shouldn’t have favourites because I do love them all and they are all amazing individuals, but he stole my heart. Sadly, he passed away recently and I can no longer see his beautiful Roman Nose profile wooing all the ladies in the flock. I was very kindly given some of his wool to treasure after he died. I keep it in a little box with other memories of loved ones lost. I miss him already.
If you ever get the chance, take the time to sit with some sheep. Let them show you who they actually are.
As you can probably tell, they are one of my favourite animals to photograph. Below is a selection of sheep images over the years.
Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally 1994-2011.
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