I developed this dark theme even further by making a large scale print dealing with The Refugee Crisis.

This is 180cmx1m and it took over 4 weeks to complete.

I wanted to create a work which reflected the hardship refugees go through just to survive.

The figure is locked in a prison cell which is rapidly filling up with water through cracks in the walls.

The figure is anonymous and his hands are shackled while he desperately reaches for the key to free himself from drowning.  However the key is just out of reach and time is running out.

On the shackles it says "displacement" and "violence" as these are two things refugees cannot escape from.  The lock has the word "Ignorance" on it to show that one of the main reasons he's locked in the cell is because powerful people like Donald Trump are ignorant and refuse to lend a helping hand.

Finally, the key has the word "Compassion" on it as I believe we could alleviate much of the hardship that these helpless people experience by helping refugees to build better lives for themselves elsewhere.  However there is a reason the figure cannot reach the key.  Many countries, including Ireland aren't doing enough.

Here're a few pictures of the block in progress.

 

I modelled the hand in the print off my own.  I wanted to portray that look of desperation through a simple hand gesture.