Sinergia Animal’s Photo Exhibition Lifts the Curtain on the Egg Industry
Ellie Ponders
Step inside a global photo exhibition that reveals the hidden cost of eggs—where 37 images from 37 countries expose the truth behind cages, and the movement to end them gains unstoppable momentum.
In a world where the truth is often hidden behind closed doors, a single image can shatter the silence.
Sinergia Animal’s “Life in Cages” exhibition offers a rare, unfiltered look at the reality faced by egg-laying hens in 37 countries. Here’s what happens when the voices of animals are finally heard.
Bringing the truth into the light
In June 2025, visitors in Bangkok and São Paulo stepped into a corridor of towering images—each nearly two meters high, each telling the story that the egg industry would rather keep hidden. This wasn’t just art for art’s sake. It was a journey through 37 countries, each photograph a window into the lives of hens confined to spaces smaller than an iPad, unable to walk, stretch, or even spread their wings.
These photos, gathered by Sinergia Animal—a member of the Open Wing Alliance—were more than just pictures. They were evidence. They were a call to action.
Saneekarn Rattanamontri, Director of Sinergia Animal Thailand, said, “Our main goal is to expose the cruel truth that hens face on industrial farms around the world in order to raise awareness among consumers to see the suffering hidden behind every egg.”
And Carolina Galvani, International Executive Director of Sinergia Animal, said, “This is the most comprehensive global collection of images documenting the suffering of laying hens. It’s a shocking but necessary reality. People don’t want cruelty hidden behind the food they eat.”
Asia’s epicenter—and a global crisis
Asia is home to the largest share of egg production on the planet. In Thailand alone, nearly 95 million hens live most of their lives in cramped cages, their natural behaviors stifled, their bodies pushed to lay egg after egg, year after year. These conditions aren’t just cruel—they create the perfect environment for disease, with bird flu outbreaks now making global headlines and threatening public health.
Yet the story isn’t unique to Thailand or Brazil. In every region featured—from Europe and Africa to the Americas and Oceania—hens endure the same grim reality. Cages aren’t just a local problem; they’re a global one.
The exhibition isn’t just a collection of images. It’s an immersive experience. As visitors move through the gallery, they’re met with the sounds and stories of life inside the cage—living hens alongside their dead flockmates, eggs laid onto piles of waste, birds unable to stand upright or move freely.
A global investigation, a global movement
Sinergia Animal’s exhibition is part of the world’s largest-ever investigation into industrial egg farms, coordinated by the Open Wing Alliance. Nearly 100 organizations joined forces to document the truth, country by country, and demand change from the world’s biggest food companies.
Already, more than 2,600 companies worldwide have promised to spare hens from cages—but in many places, including Thailand and Brazil, progress is slow, and transparency is lacking. Brands like Inspire Brands, Marriott, and IHG have made big promises but have yet to show real results.
The power of images—and your voice
Together, we can demand transparency, compassion, and a food system that reflects our values.
- Ask questions. Where do your eggs come from? Does your favorite restaurant or grocery store support cage-free sourcing?
- Amplify the truth. Share stories and images from the exhibition with your friends and family.
- Support the movement. Consider plant-based options, sign petitions, or join local efforts for change.
Curious to see what the egg industry tries to hide? Explore the global investigation at RealCostofEggs.com.
