Paint
Images in the United States - Acrylic paint, clay, sewing machine, cotton shirt, 2003
Small thing: big difference is the general theme to this artwork. The majority of North Americans and Europeans can go buy any shirt whenever they need one. They don't cost much at all. However, a cast majority of clothing products we purchase are made in sweatshops in Eastern Asia under horrible conditions. Hundreds of people die yearly because if these factories, they produce items that they will never have uses for, such as long sleeved shirts. We mask ourselves in innocence and try to cover our overconsumption of global resources. The white, XXL, long sleeved shirt represents this. The red blood-colour is symbolic of the sacrifice that these workers must make to help support their families. A Nike logo is used as a symbol or corporate America - and they have used sweatshops in the past.
This artwork was awarded second place at Youth Art Works, an art show featuring projects from high school students across Ottawa.