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30 Thought-Provoking Digital Illustrations That Expose The Flaws Of Our Modern Society
Art has recently grown into a relatively strong medium to convey critique. Whether it's of the way we live our lives, the way “things are done” in our society, or the way we abuse the planet (or abuse each other).
In a world where a single powerful image can tell a thousand words—how information is much more consumed via imagery rather than language—art turns out to be an effective way to understand the scope of social issues and to call for change.
This is the trajectory that artist and illustrator Davide Bonazzi has also chosen. He creates dark drawings that critique today's world and society. Bored Panda has also got in touch with Bonazzi to elaborate on his powerful artworks. There is more artwork to be seen in a previous Bored Panda article here as well as on Bonazzi's Website.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Billy Murray 5 years ago (edited)
This is men getting taking the escalator to success and women having to climb their way to the same position.
Val 5 years ago (edited)
This can be seen as two concepts: 1) People who don't have to do much to get to the top vs people working their butt of to get somewhere 2) People who do what society expects you to do vs people following their heart and taking the more adventurous path
IwiLLsTeaLyOuRsoUl 5 years ago
it's interesting to see how most of the negative comments are on #1 ... honestly I think when you're dealing with sensitive topics like sexism, politics, or otherwise, it's wisest to keep your mouth shut.
Although his education was mostly based on literature and liberal-arts, Davide has always had a huge interest in visual arts as well. "After university, I spent a year at the European Institute of Design in Milan, then two more years at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna," he told Bored Panda. "I've come to know what illustration is exactly through practice. I've had a few great teachers who really inspired me."
RELATED:
#2
Jo Bebe 5 years ago
Wish people would stay off their cell phones (1 in 4 vehicle deaths are now because of cell phones) people please stop killing yo-self
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deanna woods 5 years ago
This is sad, true, and so very real. Please be careful out there on the roads.
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
As much as I try to find a funny or positive thing is this, I must admit it is not possible. This is so true and it makes me angry every day. If only the victims were the irresponsible people then please go ahead. Problem is that they are putting their childrens and other peoples lives at risk. Unfortunatley the Darwin award is not always correct :( This is not
An Opinion 5 years ago
Whenever I see someone texting and driving I just want to kill them there and then. I mean eventually they're going to kill themselves and others. At least that way the others get to survive.
Rebecah Ozuna 5 years ago
I'm sooooo glad that i don't own one. I know that i'll be passionately addicted to it. A girl was almost ran over in front of me for staring at this soul taker while crossing the street.
The artist describes his thought-provoking illustrations as "straightforward, conceptual, surreal and sometimes ironic." Davide said he likes using visual metaphors to create "twists" in his creative ideas. This helps him turn an apparently plain scene into something unexpected and more meaningful. Even if it's just a small detail.
#3
Cra-Z cat lady 5 years ago
Oh, I actually didn't get it until you explained it. No I am not being sarcastic. Jeeze.
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Ed Souza 5 years ago
Technology bad!!!! How about stop using it? I wonder how the artist created and posted this image...
Hermione Granger 5 years ago
No, its saying be careful on what info you give out.
Load More Replies..."I've always been an optimistic person, though the more I learn about the world we live in, the more I feel worried about our future," Davide added. "Especially, the ecological crisis. It seems we're at the start of a global challenge with an uncertain outcome, and we all have to do our part. In the past decades, people had been taught to be selfish, to consume. I think it's crucial to eradicate this social problem."
#4
Water Bottle 5 years ago
This needs to be better reinforced with teens and underaged smoker/vapers
TheExtremeSmell 5 years ago (edited)
The lost knowledge on the studies and effect of vaping astounds me. With millions sold a couple hundred have died from them using home made ones. Short affects appear to be unquestionably safer than smoking. Long term remains to be seen but most likely much safer is the science community’s opinion
Andrew Kaiser 5 years ago
I understand the concern of regulating vaping, but banning an alternative for adult smokers is not the answer. It's important for legislators to develop a framework for vaping companies to follow. Raising the legal age for vaping products is a good start considering most young people gain access to vaping products through social sourcing; by raising the legal age to 21 will cut back on high school students having easier access to this category intended for adult smokers.
#5
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 5 years ago
This is a problem I have trouble being sympathetic with. You don't need to spend big $$$ to have a wedding like some girl on TV to have a good marriage.
David Buchan-Terrell 5 years ago
They found the expensive the wedding the lower the chances of the marriage lasting.
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Volatpropriis 5 years ago
Statistically, the more you spend, the more likely you are to divorce.
Gemma Lees 5 years ago
A family friend of my in laws spent £25000 on their daughter's wedding, it lasted a year. Our wedding cost £1500 for everything and we celebrated 10 years last September.
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George Hudacko 5 years ago
The more it costs the less it lasts. So much B******t for someone to profit!
#6
tia wright 5 years ago
Hopefully you spelled surveillance correctly so people will believe you, not that they will anyway. But great idea!
#7
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
And can be both a beacon and a lonely island in that dark sea.
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Marlene Ricker 5 years ago
I love this one. This doesn't have to be only about learning because I believe their is great worth in reading any kinds of books.
#8
Sigmund Fidyke 5 years ago
Interesting - if you remove the floating/flying bills, it looks says home ownership is a good investment - your money is sheltering you.
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
At least the money are blowing in the wind - So get a net. tumblr_p1f...o1_400.png 
Phoenix VW 5 years ago
Owning a home is a prisoner in your own place,, get taxed for everything,,get little back..that’s the life of a homeowner!!
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
The Money Pit (good movie) or Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House (another good movie). Good (and really really funny) illustrations of the cost and frustrations of home ownership.
#9
Hermione Granger 5 years ago
Not only is it global warming, but the way we treat our planet is just like a match. Throw it out once we have used the parts we want.
Gail Whitefield 5 years ago
You know, the little people are being asked to fix a problem that was caused by big business. How can our tiny contributions change anything now? Why can't big business step to the fore?
Stephany Chang 5 years ago
The Earth is on fire! We are killing ourselves and the only way to save humanity is us.
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
The Amazon rainforest, Australia - sadly true. If we don't stop fouling our nest, we'll have nowhere to live.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago (edited)
or we DO something about it..
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Catlady6000 5 years ago
A single parent can be very successful raising their children. My daughter turned out awesome. But, I really felt the absence of a partner. Someone who would have my back and back me up. It really is easier when there a two people raising a child. Thankfully, my ex-in-laws were wonderful
Daria B 5 years ago (edited)
Being a single parent must be tough. But you're strong and I'm glad you did have some kind of support (the ex in-laws). On the other hand, I understood this piece as being about families with both parents present, but one of them doesn't contribute much, so he (in this case, but in general, it can also be the mother) is nothing but a shadow. Seen some unfortunate cases myself.
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Joy Robinson 5 years ago
Sometimes, it's better for the children if the parents divorce. Staying in a hateful, loveless marriage will negatively impact a child so much more than a divorce
Lucas 5 years ago
My mother would have agreed with you wholeheartedly. She was extremely relieved when her parents split up.
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Nicole Blake-Walen 5 years ago
She is casting the shadow of the role she is fulfilling for her child!
Beth Zwynenburg 5 years ago
I'm a suicide widow, I certainly did not ask to be a single parent
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Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
Better to be a happy, well adjusted single parent than trying to raise a kid in a miserable & toxic environment "for their sake".
Roberto Durante 5 years ago (edited)
as single father, my daughter called me pama, as her mother never been for her
Sunny Topia 3 years ago
For all single parents! I hope you have less trouble in your life and be happy! I also want to say that you are very3 strong physically and mentally! You can do it!!!! 💖💖💖😭
#11
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
Look on the bright side. The person is cleaning or painting that stuff away to see a brighter day.
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Mackenzie LaPorte 5 years ago
what i get from this is that you need to block out the social media/news to see the bigger or clearer picture
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
Clean all the useless stuff out of your life so you can see the sun again?
#12
Hermione Granger 5 years ago
I think instead of your idea, it is just a reminder that we could have chosen peace.
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Niffler_13 5 years ago
"Bombing for Peace is like Screwing for Virginity" - George Carlin
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Mando 5 years ago
This means that because of nuclear capabilities peace has been possible. Since the atomic bomb our world has not experienced a world war and for the most part, conflicts around the world is mainly isolated to proxy wars or cold wars not a global war. Countries now think twice before invading another, because of nuclear recourse. This image could be a test bomb, and not necessarily a bomb inflicted on another country.
Marlene Ricker 5 years ago
This is powerful! To me it is saying that there is hope even in the worst of times.
#13
ember avery 5 years ago
it took me a while but i think it means that technology is developing fast in some fields so unemployment is bound to become a problem, so the workers are going to all be down in the dirt if it keeps progressing
Sigmund Fidyke 5 years ago
I don't know - to me it says safety vests are worthless. Not true, but certainly not helping these people.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
You work, get used up and then put out to the curb only to be replaced...?
Felipe Lopez 5 years ago
I'm a warehouse and production worker and it's true in the sense that they fire you and rehire other workers year round. Very depressing.
Gregg Bender 5 years ago
In our society, human is to resources as natural is to resources: something to be used up and discarded.
#14
Daniel Mason 5 years ago
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars"
#15
Saico Hipe 5 years ago
I looked up this UPC number and it does not exist. I was kinda hoping it was some kind of Easter egg that would provide additional commentary lol
Bent. O. Jensen 5 years ago
China is monitoring their citizens (just like USA/Google/NSA/facebook is monitoring their citizens)
Tracy Maxwell 5 years ago
Those numbers look like dates (in the UK format) but I can't find anything significant about them. I wondered if someone more knowledgeable than me knows what they mean? I'm probably overthinking it though.
#16
Water Bottle 5 years ago (edited)
Unrelated to the picture but lots of people are under the impression that anyone that lives in the Middle East is a terrorist.
deanna woods 5 years ago
A smart and compassionate person will know that is not true.
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Steph Lindsey 5 years ago
Martin, I have friends from all regions and religious beliefs/lack thereof and can firmly say that my Muslim friends are absolutely for peace and simply striving for a better life for their family and loved ones.
ispeak catanese 5 years ago
This is about immigration. Specifically, leaving a war-torn country for greener pastures.
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
If you have the misfortune to be trapped in a war torn country, almost anywhere else is a greener pasture—-even if there’s little to no greenery around. As long as it’s safe it’s a big improvement.
Load More Replies... [] person [] 5 years ago
muslims religion is about peace they want hope and justice in the world they are just waiting for there imam (religious thing)to bring peace so don't be so rude once you see a muslim..(Because they could have a family member in these war-torn countries and cant get in contact with them )
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
ojberrettaberretta : thats just like saying white people are murders , shooters , psycho and other things we were all taught differently in religion and other things so if you have somthin racist and rude to say just keep it to yalls self its not that hard find ppl like you to communicate
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
TRY TO UNDERSTAND MUSLIMS ARE THE ONES BEING TARGETED AND ARE TRYING TO LEAVE THE WAR FULL COUNTRYS ,
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago (edited)
TO ANY PEICE OF S**T THAT SAYS MUSLIMS ARE TERRORIST ARE PURE RACIST ........ this is not a f*****g thing to say out loud and i know most of yall were influenced b/c of a event but look deeper find things that are real and not fake they lie the media lies to you dig deeper find out your self
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
look The US is convincing people that muslims are terrorist and this is absolute s**t i mean there ABOUT PEACE SO US GET YO DAM MOTHER F*****G A*S OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST YOU GREEDY HOGS
#17
Kaisu 5 years ago
The destruction of the land and the people in many countries began the moment the colonists set their foot on it
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
The devastation brought by colonialism—-which is still rearing its ugly head through the sometimes violent prejudicial treatment of the former colonized by the former colonizers—-especially if the former colonized are now immigrants/refugees/asylum seekers in the former colonizers’ countries.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
I think it's saying every time we found new land we destroyed it
#18
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 5 years ago
We are fanatically devoted to our phones / internet
Hermione Granger 5 years ago
We are idolizing techology, and for christians, we are not focusing on God anymore.
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
Right now I am too tired and lazy to type in the binaries into google. Please tell me if the numbers actually mean something. I will be very grateful - If not then I will return tomorrow to look it up myself :)
Mackenzie LaPorte 5 years ago
i didn't find anything. maybe you will have more luck!
Load More Replies... Rebecah Ozuna 5 years ago
I like the ideology behind this. This 'rosary' can be a cool tattoo.
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
Tech is the new religion. At least it seems to be both worshipped and lived like one.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
I think it says people worship fb and other social media like they are gods
#19
Troux 5 years ago (edited)
No, this is about Brexit. That's a map of the UK. Going solo means leaving behind the stability of the group and its solid foundation, all for a sense of pride.
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Krásnoočko Zelené 5 years ago (edited)
I see many people don't get this image, but to me it is absolutely clear. I'm a post-doctoral researcher and my current supervisor is a British person working in France, very good scientist but with no long-term stability in position and funding. They are trying very hard to get a permanent position and French (i.e. EU) citizenship to keep their opportunities and freedom. Brexit is really destructive for European scientific collaboration, mobility and funding.
AJu 5 years ago
Scientists separated by idiotic politicians and their decisions (yes, I mean Boris Johnson) instead of workimg together towards developing new technologies
Erika Leon 5 years ago
Liberals can't accept outcomes when it doesn't go there way.
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whatever nevermind 5 years ago
Obviously a visualisation is Brexit as a cliff edge for the U.K., as it's frequently been described.
Becky Moore 5 years ago
It looks like the rocks are crumbling as the UK is leaving. That's why I have my Irish passport too ;)
#20
Felicia Dale 5 years ago
Hash tags making ignored things visible across the net and empowering people to help each other through knowledge of the problems.
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
Sometime yes, sometimes no—-notice the breaks (or cuts maybe?) in the hashtag ladder.
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Helen Haley 5 years ago
I assume this is about the Me Too movement. Letting every woman know, that it happens to every woman, and it isn't your fault.
Melissa Mayhem 5 years ago
Are they climbing up or climbing down? As social media has provided access to the globe with the tap of a finger, people are losing their ability to socialize in person and are becoming more insular.
#21
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
That´s reality TV for you. Everything is staged and analyzed by psychologists to provoke the drama wanted by the producer.
John Leriel 5 years ago
For me, it's interpreted how online advertisement works. Your customs, habits, everything you do, are analyzed by specialists and software algorythm to provide you an aimed advertising, to head you towards sponsored items & webstores.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
You are always being sold something and manipulated even if it looks real?
Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
I will never understand the appeal of "reality" shows. Unless it's teaching me how to be an (even) better cook!
Caroline Driver 5 years ago
I always wonder how many people wtching reality tv really think that it's live, unscripted and spontaneous. Must be a few
#22
Monica Patterson 5 years ago
I will say it was the easiest and fastest way to let people know about my father's passing.
Jo Bebe 5 years ago
|I agree but sometimes my social media is flooded with people who feel sad over someone who is dead, people acknowledging that someone just died or stuff like this and it's just totally depressing. I mean I miss people too but other than posting it there is a lot of ways to miss someone without making it a spectacle online
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Sigmund Fidyke 5 years ago
She's bringing flowers so often the bunch is growing? Or she's not the only one bringing flowers.
Linette Gonzalez 5 years ago
More people visit loved ones that have passed away on Facebook instead of the cemetary.
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
Woman drops most of the content of her ice cream cone in front of a gravestone. No wonder she is trying to protect her face from bees.
#23
Lukas Gilmore 5 years ago (edited)
Smart phones are distracting this generation from seeing the world around them, unlike previous generations
Kostas 5 years ago
unlike previous generations... sure... 57a1af9522...d91328.jpg 
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
People used to watch the world go by. Now we watch it on our phones. Like I'm doing now.
Sunny Topia 3 years ago
Who da heck go to a trip playing phone? What's the purpose going there tho if you spent the rest of your day playing phone? Duhhh... unless you are busy taking pictures which is me xD...
#24
Lynn Thompson 5 years ago
You can swim in nature, no need for a pool to be built, destroying the nature that once was there.
Isog Sargent 5 years ago
I hate lap swimming. Not only does it take all the joy out of the water, but lap swimmers want to take over every pool.
#25
Amr Mohamed 5 years ago
I think it's unsustainable growth. The employees in the company are doing their best to prop that growth up, but eventually it's going to grow too big to sustain and swallow them in.
Jo Bebe 5 years ago
and as time goes on it's inevitable that the mouth will close on them
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Koalamonster 5 years ago
I feel like that is either an alligator, crocodile, or dinosaur of some kind. Pushing me towards seeing it as an environmental message. Seeing it as climate change mostly. Between the color and them pushing open the jaw like that... yeah.
Andrea Careless 5 years ago
It's about about climate change, as other Pandas have been saying. That CO2 graph represents the Keeling Curve.
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
Climate change? We keep propping open the mouth of the alligator?/crocodile? higher and higher by not cutting greenhouse gases and raising CO2 levels in the atmosphere to unprecedented heights not seen in 800,000 years (Neanderthals were still around back then). One day, maybe soon, it’s going to suddenly snap shut and crush us all.
Lynn Thompson 5 years ago
Population explosion. Doubling every century. Ever growing and people protecting the explosion as if it's healthy and to be bolstered.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
Kinda like what goes up must come down. That mouth is open now but it will eventually shut..
#26
Catlady6000 5 years ago
Are the rungs being inserted or, as for a lot of us theses days, being removed
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 5 years ago
Are the anonymous hands inserting rungs to help the person climb higher or removing them to hinder? Or... maybe he's climbing down?
Bumblebee 5 years ago
I think inserting or removing them. I thought inserting when I saw the picture, but you made me think. Now I have absolutely no idea..
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Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
Another way to illustrate the glass ceiling concept. Because you don’t fit the “usual” profile (whatever that may be in your situation), you can go this far up, but no farther.
Marion Goriak 5 years ago
Removing. I'll tell you how I surmise that. The middle hand on the right has the rung in position, but the lower hand rung is not fully inserted. The lower hand is pulling the rung, and the upper hand is preparing to pull the rung. Also - the top hand - the rung is definitely headed downwards, not up and in.
Stephany Chang 5 years ago
Climbing the career ladder with a never ending satisfaction of your success.
#27
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
I see people opposing the words of the guy on top. If the don´t do it, they will fall backwards. Also the guy on top is yelling so surely Trump comes to mind.
[] person [] 5 years ago
wtf dude i know you love him or some bs but still PEOPLE BELIEVE IN DIFFERENT THINGS
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PandaPiñata 5 years ago
Honey that is not a duck. Look at the long neck ;)
Load More Replies... ispeak catanese 5 years ago
Goose is sadly flying in a different direction. Makes me think of injured animals that can't be released to the wild.
#29
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 5 years ago
I can relate to this one. A calendar that's too full of meetings and appointments.
Tia Hansen 5 years ago
I can too, and I’m 15. My parents like to keep my schedule full so “I don’t end up with the wrong crowd” but I’m getting anxiety problems from it.
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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
Too much expected out of you, or you let people out too much pressure on you
Jo Bebe 5 years ago
That's what I think,.... everyone wants to run to the doc. But imagine being the doctor. All the nasty rude obese pushy people that you have to see and treat daily... demanding your time because lets be honest.....there is just NOT enough doctors, let alone really good ones that can handle this kind of c**p every day!!
Load More Replies... Hermione Granger 5 years ago
Being so busy, and having society tell you what you can and can't do.
arab soul 5 years ago
Before and until now they told me try to work hard to make a good place for you and earn a lot of money and be comfortable. Why I said that? Because most of ppl thinking same. Usually ppl who working so hard they unstable they miss important thing in them life so day after day they stay at them own world away of others ppl. Why? Cause they can't understand or feelings of them.
Marie-Charlotte Popp 5 years ago
All I see are clients saying "Are you sure you can't squeeze me in? I pay your salary!"
#30
#31
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
The internet will only get so I far. We need to get out and live life? Well, mapquest helps.
#32
kenzieve 5 years ago
i feel like this means that now you can buy all your food on your phone and select it all through an app(s)
Lucas 5 years ago
Do most of my grocery shopping online through a supermarket app.
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#33
#34
#35
#37
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
What we have done to the earth will catch up with us even if we run.
#38
#39
#40
Lucas 5 years ago
I think he's only just been shot so maybe there is hope for him!
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#42
Tifferooski 5 years ago
Living in the current reality that was the result of someone's former glory.
#43
#48
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago (edited)
Hope you paid for your expensive insurance in america, before you hit the ground. If not it will cost you.
#49
#50
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What do you think ?
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 5 years ago
Very nice collection. Poignant and I like the style - reminiscent of vintage adverts.
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
I love these illustrations. I just hope that the artist will look at the lowest scoring drawings. Surely they are not really getting the message across - At least I didn´t get them. Maybe too cryptic or too clever. That´s not a bad thing unless you want to say something about society that people can react to or think about. In that case there are a few misses. But that does not ruin the overall impression of this great work posted. Thank you for showing your art <3
Panda Lurker 5 years ago
Don't know how many of them I agree with it or really understand, but love the artwork and style :)
Linnea Maria Skille 5 years ago
Don't know how many of them I agree with it really understand, but love the artwork and style :)
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 5 years ago
Very nice collection. Poignant and I like the style - reminiscent of vintage adverts.
PandaPiñata 5 years ago
I love these illustrations. I just hope that the artist will look at the lowest scoring drawings. Surely they are not really getting the message across - At least I didn´t get them. Maybe too cryptic or too clever. That´s not a bad thing unless you want to say something about society that people can react to or think about. In that case there are a few misses. But that does not ruin the overall impression of this great work posted. Thank you for showing your art <3
Panda Lurker 5 years ago
Don't know how many of them I agree with it or really understand, but love the artwork and style :)
Linnea Maria Skille 5 years ago
Don't know how many of them I agree with it really understand, but love the artwork and style :)
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