An unflinching new book of photography documenting our relationship with non-human animals was released today, featuring the work of 40 international photojournalists and a foreword by Academy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix.
HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene exposes the invisible animals in our lives: those we eat and wear, those we use in research and entertainment, and those we sacrifice in the name of tradition and religion. The 320-page collectable hardcover offers more than 200 images spanning six continents.
“The photojournalists represented in HIDDEN have entered some of the darkest, most unsettling places in the world,” said Phoenix. “The images they have captured are a searing reminder of our unpardonable behaviour towards animals and will serve as beacons of change for years to come.”
An estimated 80 billion land animals are used and consumed by humans annually, and more than 75 percent of new or emerging infectious diseases spread to humans from animals. While the world endures a global pandemic originating from a live animal market, HIDDEN presents another perspective of these markets: that of the wild and domestic animals who are sold and killed there. Other chapters include industrial farming, fishing, culture, labour, slaughter, and human-caused catastrophes such as wildfires that impact our fellow species.
Dairy Farms 
Fur Poland
HIDDEN also breaks new ground in the field of animal photojournalism, which captures and exposes human conflicts with non-human animals. Like war photographers before them, animal photojournalists fearlessly face some of humanity’s worst atrocities – atrocities were largely hidden from public view – even breaking laws and working undercover to document abuse, cruelty, suffering, and exploitation.
“These photos prove there is an emergency confronting animals globally, from industrial farming to climate change, and provide valuable insight into the relevance of animal suffering to human health,” said creator and co-editor Jo-Anne McArthur, an award-winning photojournalist and author whose previous books We Animals and Captive focus on animals in human environments. “There has never been a photographic project that reaches this deeply and broadly to show the status of animals in our modern world.”
Frog Purse by Britta Jaschinski 
Pig Slaughter house in Thailand in 2019 by Jo Anne McArthur 
Photo by Kristo Muurimaa
“The animals we breed, sell and kill for our dinner plate, that we break and maim for sport and tradition, share many of the same emotions that we do: feelings of sadness and joy, pain and fear, love and grief,” said co-editor Keith Wilson, a writer, photo editor, journalist, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society as well as a founder of Photographers Against Wildlife Crime. “The images in HIDDEN expose our brutal treatment of animals who deserve far greater respect and mercy than our actions have shown.”
Along with McArthur and Wilson, the creative team also includes designer David Griffin who specializes in photographic projects for clients such as National Geographic, Washington Post, and Smithsonian Enterprises. He served as secretary of the jury for World Press Photo from 2015-2020.
Photo by Luis Tato 
Photo by Kristo Muurimaa 
Photo by Konrad Lozinski 
Photo by Jose Valle 
Photo by Joan de la Malla 
Dakshinkali in Napal by Jo Anne McArthur 
Photo by Selene Magnolia
HIDDEN features work by noted photographers from around the world. Joining McArthur are contributors Aaron Gekoski, Adam Dean, Adam Oswell, Aitor Garmendia, Amy Jones, Andrew Quilty, Andrew Skowron, Anipixels, Bridget Laudien, Britta Jaschinski, Carlota Saorsa, Daniel Beltrá, Dulce Ramírez, Francesco Pistilli, Gav Wheatley, Jan Sorgenfrei, Jan van IJken, Jeff Mitchell, Joan de la Malla, Jon Amad, Jose Valle, Juho Kerola, Julie O’Neill, Kelly Guerin, Kelsey Hannah, Konrad Lozinski, Kristo Muurimaa, Kuni Takahashi, Lissy Jayne, Louise Jorgensen, Luis Tato, Paul Hilton, Roger Kingbird, Sabine Grootendorst, Selene Magnolia, Stefano Belacchi, Tamara Kenneally, Timo Stammberger, and Tommaso Ausili.
The book is published by We Animals Media, nonprofit photography, video, and multimedia organization, after a successful crowdfunding campaign that reached its goal within days.
About We Animals Media
We Animals Media (WAM) documents the lives of animals in the human environment – those used for food, fashion, entertainment, work, religion, and experimentation. WAM partners with organizations, media outlets, and individuals to use animal photojournalism as a catalyst for change, widening the circle of compassion for all animals. The We Animals Archive is a digital library of thousands of images and videos available for free to individuals and organizations working to help animals. WAM is continually expanding its Archive with work from our network of global contributors, ensuring that animal stories of our time can be told by media, educators, organizations, policy-makers, and influencers who can help amplify their reach.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media