In the aisles of plenty, where bargains beckon and abundance seems boundless, a stark reminder lurks beneath the surface. “Discounted Workforce” is not just a critique of current affairs but a piercing examination of the human toll behind our everyday conveniences.
At its center lies a seemingly innocuous store coupon, a symbol of savings and consumerism. Yet, upon closer inspection, it unveils a chilling truth etched in bold headlines and stark imagery. In place of enticing offers and promotions, the coupon features a grotesque parody—a tin of tuna, repurposed as “affordable migrant housing.” Within its cramped confines, migrant laborers are depicted, squeezed together in a scene that mocks their plight.
Words scrawl across the coupon, not as endorsements but as indictments of systemic exploitation. “Agriculture Migrant Laborers: Minimal Benefits Needed, Disposable Workforce, High Tolerance,” blares the stark message. Each phrase, a testament to the dehumanizing calculus of profit over personhood, echoes through the aisles where their toil fuels our sustenance.
Above this scene, the acronym “H2-A” hovers ominously—a visa designation that promises opportunity yet often delivers exploitation. It becomes a stamp of approval for a cycle of labor that devalues humanity in exchange for menial wages and precarious conditions.
A red starburst, usually reserved for eye-catching deals, bears an insidious promise: “a dime a dozen,” branding human lives as mere commodities, expendable and replaceable at a fraction of what their labor truly sustains.
“Discounted Workforce” challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths about our food systems, about the silent sacrifices made by those who feed our tables. It demands we acknowledge the invisible hands that pick, pack, and prune, often at the cost of their own well-being and dignity.
Beyond the confines of this artwork lies a call to action—not merely to glance and turn away, but to recognize the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of their origin or occupation. It implores us to advocate for justice, to elevate voices that have been muted by indifference and systemic neglect.
As we contemplate this piece, let us not just lament the prices we pay at the checkout counter but reckon with the human costs hidden within. May it serve as a catalyst for change, igniting conversations and actions that uphold dignity, respect, and equity for all.
Medium: Serigraph on Bristol Vellum
Dimensions: 13.5″ x 10.25″
Year Completed: 2023
Edition Size: 7
Editions Available for Sale: 2
Exhibits
- 2023 – California Printmakers: Tradition and Innovation, Arts Benicia Inc, Benicia CA
- 2023 – Slice: A Juried Exhibition of Regional Art, Pence Gallery, Davis CA
- 2023 – Summer 2023 Quarterly Publication & Exhibition, Dabster Arts Inc, Austin TX
