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There's something very disturbing about John Holcroft's work, but in a very good way. Checking out his cool drawings, you can't help but feel as if you're seeing something forbidden. The fragility of the system, the obscurity of your career; the lack of romance in today's world. The characters' passions are their torture and there's only one way out - embracing the absurdity of the modern world. Working from a studio near Sheffield, UK, Holcroft manages to connect two completely different eras. Drawing inspiration from 1950s screen print posters, he creates satirical illustrations that deliver a great social commentary on the things that are wrong with our society.

More info: johnholcroft.com | Facebook | society6

"My work is concept rather than character based," Holcroft told Bored Panda after being asked if he ever feels like a character in one of his pieces. "However, when working on an illustration whether it's a commission for a publication or a self-promotional piece I imagine what it's like to be in the situation of the concept. It helps to communicate to the reader more if they can related to the person in the image."

"My biggest concerns about society are that we are too reliant on devices to the extent of obsession," the artist said. "There is also a large proportion of young people that have 'dumbed down' and see platforms like YouTube as a new standard in entertainment, watching mindless drivel by people who either just want to be famous or want to viewing figures for ad revenue. This has become acceptable and the norm."

"How some people can be easily lead to believe things that the media tell them, whether it be about elections or referendums some people believe what they read on social media and tabloid newspapers instead of seeking out the facts."

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Despite all the grim colors in his creative drawings, Holcroft likes to think he's optimistic, believing that everything's gonna be OK regarding such social problems like climate change. "But the pessimistic side of me gets restless when I don't see very much movement politically. My biggest frustration is that little people like me and you don’t have a voice, we are shouting at the governments of the world to do something, millions of us with out metaphoric megaphones shouting ‘the world is in crisis, what are you doing about it?’. All while large corporations are profiting on the pollution without a care in the world."

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The Dutches
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tony’s Chocolonely. Slave-free chocolat and really delicious. Just look it up. It is great.

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The artist also tries not to get involved in anything religious or something that may offend others, unless it's for a really good cause. "The reason being, primarily this is how I make my living and I produce show pieces to attract work and I don’t thing I will be very popular if I alienate my potential clients. Although magazine articles tend to cover interesting subject matters they don’t like to upset their readership."

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Elizabeth
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one strikes me as a sentiment on pollution- the scientists are trying to push global warming into reverse

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Natters
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He doesn't feel so good. (I'm sorry! I know this is a real problem in our society)

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know I shouldn’t laugh but seeing Ronald McDonald as a food baby is funny as.

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Foxxy
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never did this. My son is 5 and goes on the iPad once in a blue moon and never plays with my phone.

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Sara
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Facebook has become much of society's weapon of choice when it comes to expressing their opinions (or blasting others' opinions)

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anarkzie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if when books first became widespread did they prompt the same overreaction as we are now seeing with tablets, phones etc?

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Just Curious
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is entirely original and has never before been depicted in art.

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Meyer Weinstock
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

an economy based solely on sales (and not service or production) will fall like a row of dominoes

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Mewton’s Third Paw
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My opinion is that he’s looking to pills to fix his problem and not finding the answers there. Maybe it’s not about modern medicine as much as it is about people expecting pills to cure-all for certain things but not putting in the real world work. The pill is empty because it didn’t solve their problem. Maybe?

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I kinda want to build myself a lego fortress of my own.

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Kathy Baylis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the unintended consequence of the Genome Project on the nature vs nurture argument. Suddenly everyone started thinking “There’s a gene for that” about every aspect of human variation, including those that are shaped more by environment. Therefore, if someone is deemed aberrant, it’s automatically attributed to genetics, rather than the neglect and/or brutality they may have had to survive from childhood. This, in turn, can lead to labeling, which means society automatically writes them off as not worthy of our time and attention, and basically disposes of them through the school to prison pipeline—-strong and immobilizing shackles, indeed.

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sh
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our necessities are starving babies that the government controls with the promise of money they may or may not get.

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Just Curious
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure exactly what the commentary is supposed to be here, but this is a pretty accurate depiction of the way economies work... Like how people are surprised when the stock market doesn’t continue to go up (or down) forever, it’s like, yeah, that’s how it works...

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Daria B
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this one. Simple, yet powerful and full of meaning. And pretty original too.

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Natters
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Besides the point but ow it's gonna be excruciating for their heads crunched in the zipper

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Mewton’s Third Paw
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn’t about him wanting to take it or not. It’s about the fact that he’s literally tethered to it forever. If he wants to keep living, he is stuck dragging around this ball and chain. Yeah it keeps him alive but let’s not act like it’s not a burden. Especially if the price on that medicine goes up. He’s STILL going to be tethered to it if he wants to live.

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E FourOFour
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Would you like paper, plastic, or lettuce leaf to carry your groceries?"

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Morgue Delivery
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With the right amount of drive, determination and stamina, you too can be a star!

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WallFlowers
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wondering if it's about a house that pollutes the environment seeing the amount of smoke going out of the chimney

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Just Curious
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad that little guy is in there to digitize everybody’s ballots...

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Elizabeth
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's living in a man's world and so has to lock up the s in she to live and compete like a he... my guess

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Chicago Kitty
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the issue may be that Mavis toothpaste is marketed as a premium product with exotic flavors (in this case, licorice) but testing has shown a number of bottom of the barrel, less-than- good for you ingredients.

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Brandy Olivarez
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like Dad use to say "money doesn't grow on trees", well neither does any of that stuff.

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WallFlowers
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Austerity turned into Prosperity...the way government fools us

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