“We Want No Pigs in Dodensted (detail)” is a surrealist genre painting created by Michael Sowa. The artwork is a notable representation of Surrealism, an art movement that seeks to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind by illustrating peculiar and fantastical scenarios.
The artwork depicts a pastoral setting near the fictional place “Dodensted”. The scene features three pigs walking along a muddy path, with one pig in the background looking towards the viewer. A yellow road sign with the inscription “Dodensted” suggests an entrance or boundary to this peculiar and imaginary place. Bare trees in the background complement the desolate setting, evoking a sense of isolation and whimsical absurdity typical of Sowa’s work. The juxtaposition of naturalism in the depiction of the pigs and the road sign with the surreal context invites viewers to ponder the narrative and underlying meanings of the piece.
