Copain comme cochon

In “Copain comme cochon”, Hetaone turns animal imagery to deliver a work that is both playful and satirical. The pig in the foreground looks like something straight out of a comic strip, with its youthful look and streetwear attributes: green cap, gold piercing on the nose and ear, gold chain, and stylized tattoos, echoes of graffiti lettering characteristic of the artist.

His body is literally split in two, revealing a slice of pork inserted between the cut parts, disturbing the initially sympathetic aspect of the scene. In the background, a pencil-sketched barcode emphasizes the link with mass consumption and industrialization of the animal.

The title “Copain comme cochon” plays on a popular French expression, evoking both friendship and the duality between emotional attachment to animals and their consumption. The work invites reflection on the relationship between man and animal, ecology, and ethical issues around vegetarianism and animal exploitation, while maintaining a offbeat and accessible aesthetic.

This work raises a real question: can one really be «friend» with his neighbor…