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Polish Artist Creates 30 Uncomfortably Accurate Metaphors About The Ills Of Our Society (New Pics)
One clever conceptual illustration can tell more than words ever could. This is the true power of art—no borders or language limitations. Polish artist Pawel Kuczynski offers an honest look into our modern world through his brilliantly intelligent creative ideas that touch on globally important social, political, and economic issues. By masterfully blending artistic talent, social commentary, and satirical twists, Kuczynski accurately pokes at truths, flaws, social problems, and sometimes even ridicule of our everyday life, and it’s some truly delicious food for thought!
We have compiled a list of some of the best thought-provoking illustrations by Pawel Kuczynski—some of them might seem relatable, others controversial or eye-opening, but all of these dark drawings deliver strong messages and insights about our lives. For more artwork, check out previous posts on Bored Panda here, here and here.
Do you recognize today‘s society's problems in these illustrations? Let us know in the comments!
More info: Facebook | pictorem.com | teepublic.com | pawelkuczynski.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Paige Garberding 5 years ago
Detox and read a book. Walk in nature without your phone. Have dinner with friends without your phone. Sit still in a quiet place. Without your phone. Gradual taper just keeps you jonesing. Cold turkey works the best.
Kuczynski has been drawing since childhood and enrolled in graphics studies at the Fine Arts Academy in Poznan. He started turning observations into political satire illustrations in 2014, when a friend encouraged him to enter a cartoon competition, and he was hooked immediately. Fast forward to now—the 43-year-old artist has been recognized worldwide and has been honored with more than 140 prizes and distinctions. Ironically, his cool drawings that often questions our obsessive relationship with technology and social media has an impressive following of over half a million people on Facebook.
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#2
A human i guess 5 years ago
This is so amazingly well done, it looks cool, but it’s the sad truth. All of that waste...it’s killing our planet
Ruth oro 5 years ago
Lol I thought it was meaning we eat so much we're becoming whales, I'm sorry I had a brain fart
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Louise B 5 years ago
Wait!? What! Isn't that a donkey on the right hand side? I don't remember a Burro burger 🤔
Miguel Ángel 5 years ago
Do you really believe McCrap uses prime quality meat?
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Victoria Yaste 5 years ago
the eating meat part isn't what's wrong - it's that McDonald's is acting like the killing of these animals is fun, sort of. It's about consumerism and animal treatment, not just "hurgh burgh meat bad"
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#4
Ian Taggart 5 years ago
This represents How I feel about books. They're the only adventure left in the world.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
It all depends on what kind of book. Books are only as good as those who wrote them.
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Leigh C. 5 years ago
Sea of knowledge, small boy is looking up unable to reach, he has a toy boat. Toys are often used as introductions to possible life long hobbies or jobs, in this case sailing or boating. He has some growing to do before he can touch that water with his toy but he'll outgrow the playing age by the time he's big enough. Too late? He can't even play. The world is reserved for adults more than before. Kids have to learn but how can they learn if they can't be exposed to experiences?
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
I remember a Family Circus cartoon in which Billy says "TV puts pictures in your eyes but books put pictures in your brain." Or something like that.
Carroll Cadden 5 years ago
Or that some of the last pristine waters that children will see will be in books.
Kuczynski told Bored Panda that he draws inspiration from his peers and colleagues, as well as the old masters, particularly Caravaggio for his “play of the lights and the shadows.” He applies his skills to create metaphors that are both aesthetically pleasing and mind-boggling. Due to his distinctive style, Kuczynski’s work is often called surrealistic, but the artist describes himself as “a realistic illustrator… of our surreal times.”
#5
#6
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
That guy could just as easily be a Christian(?) minister in a pulpit.
DC 5 years ago
I honestly don't see him being a moslem (german word, in english it's muslim). But I know muslims that are like the described - Pierre Vogel, the germans will know him, is one of those. This could also resemble many different religious clothing habits, I think this is intended by the artist. Would make sense at least.
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Xavier Wescott 5 years ago
you know it's a good picture when it causes the chat to devolve into a writhing mass of political opinions . It's an open ended picture up for interpretation, so everyone's right I guess.
Grumble O'Pug 5 years ago
This is basically racist. Sorry bro, you know it. You are a white guy drawing patently Islamic figures and you have to get real. Downvote me, I don't gaf.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Everybody is hating anybody, and there's a reason for that.
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Petra Christovová 5 years ago
Bored panda comments on this: blah blah racism, racist blah racism, ... imho the picture is completely appropriate and true.
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
im sorry maam but somebody who says something like this is pure racist b/c not all muslims aree like this .. if you look most school shootings in america happen by white peopples and and that terrorist are mostly aming for muslims
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#7
Wottermehlon Doge 5 years ago
dude its only seven and only 34 upvotes away from 1st chill out
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Born in 1976 in communist-ruled Szczecin, Kuczynski grew up in a dynamically changing environment on the path to independence—from a Soviet regime to resistance. The artist himself admits that he appreciates today’s reality much more, but still holds memories that have taught him the art of critical thinking. Times have changed, but there's still plenty of absurd material to cover with grotesque illustrations. “I'm not the messenger, I'm just the chronicler of our time,” Kuczynski says.
#8
Baali Venomax 5 years ago
I think it means we have no privacy anymore, even with things we consider to personal to share.
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MADELEINE KIMBALL 5 years ago
... Ian it's not actually real... this is just an illustration representing how in the modern world, much of our privacy is lost.
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Tracyann Sanfilippo 4 years ago
Ever thought about the cameras view when we mstrb8? Who's recording, selling? Yeh, it's an ugly subject but it needs to surface.
#10
Adriana_Slayz 5 years ago
this represents climate change. It's true and very effective. Wish there was a way to stop this
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
There is the way, it begins with personal changes - life style changes and ends with getting organized, signing petitions, joining protests, supporting the environmental and animal rights organizations, and fighting the powerful.
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*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
It's really sad, and I know I really shouldn't laugh, but the idea of a big, clunky penguin just (no irony intended) chillin in a tree, on a teeny, tiny twig just cracks me up
To stay in tune with current affairs and trends, Kuczynski turns to web portals and magazines. The artist’s illustrations are a mirror of the world we currently live in. He digs deep to find all the ills of our dystopian society and presents them to us wrapped in a perfectly understandable artistic form. His powerful satire addresses highly relevant environmental problems, political issues and hypocrisy, social injustice, capitalism, war, technological development and its influence, and much more.
“I think these are not only my observations. I'm able to notice them as illustrations—to show them in a universal language, in the picture language, which is understandable to the whole world,” says Kuczynski.
#11
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
Climate change will result in droughts and water shortages, and meanwhile greedy corporations like Nestlé are making it a commodity.
Rich McCormick 5 years ago
Nestle is an evil company! The CEO is the one doing this mostly. When I found out that Nestle now owns "Garden of Life" natural products I switched to a competing brand, that is how much I abhor that corporation, giving up my beloved GoL products!
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Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Yes, drinking water will be precious; to some of us it already is. Please, do not waste natural resources.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
I hate to brake it to you Sterling; it's not going to stay anywhere, it's gone be gone.
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IT'S THE SWEET ONE 5 years ago
Yes.... he probably does....like a sane person....
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Ian Taggart 5 years ago
We don't need petroleum anymore. We have plant based products.
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Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
We need to wean ourselves off dirty, limited fossil fuels and get all our energy from renewable sources. We will have to, sooner or later.
Sera the Dragon 5 years ago
Pretending the problem isn’t there doesn’t make it disappear. Problems don’t stay put; you can’t just walk away from them.
Adam Hendron 5 years ago
This kind of exaggeration undermines the credibility of one's position.
Jonas H 5 years ago
This doesn't feel exaggerated at all, actually plausible. We all ready have indoor beaches whit ocean waves.
Load More Replies... Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Full Name, 80 % of all crops planted go to feed live"stock". Change your way you eat and there will be "tons of land" for the crops for plant based products, and there will be no world hunger anywhere on this planet.
#13
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
It is sad that people are incapable to rule themselves and co-exist in peace....and there's reason for it.
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Full Name 5 years ago
That conflict is much, much, much, much, much, much, much older than a country that was formed when my parents were born.
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Andy ReRe 5 years ago
I realize this 'thing' has been going on for centuries... but...last I checked, countries/borders have always been, and probably always will be, set by wars/power. Pretty sure there have been a few wars there in this century over that land, and well, one way of another, the winners are the winners, move on, or take the pandering gloves off and finish it.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Again, there's reason for it: "As long as man will continue to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will NEVER know HEALTH or PEACE. For as long as men massacre animals they WILL kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain CANNOT reap joy and love." - Pythagoras, Greek mathematician & philosopher (570 - 480 BC/BCE) It was true millennia ago, it is true now, and it always be true. And did you noticed that in those parts of the world where there are no animal protection laws, there are virtually no human rights laws??? Coincidence? I think not.
Load More Replies...The artist challenges our values and makes us rethink some of the darkest parts of modern living. “I notice the people’s reactions to my drawings…” Kuczynski says. “Very often, they say that I illustrated their feelings.” He says that through his satire, he wants to encourage people to start to think more about their own problems. In the end, we all are a part of what we call a modern world—with its pros and cons.
#14
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
The sad truth, but whom to blame? You are in power.
Load More Replies... have a cry 5 years ago
i wonder if these people realise not everyone is addicted to their phones
#16
Haevyn 5 years ago
This is good.. I see it as immigrants/refugees trying to escape they're hell but being forced to use their resources/money on just staying alive. Therefore making it impossible to escape.
Chris DiFonso 5 years ago
Flare, I have a different perspective. I think this person is too busy surviving day to day to be able to "rise above."
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If you are into satire with not-so-hidden but definitely thought-provoking meanings, Bored Panda has previously featured incredible artists that are brave enough to bring the world’s deepest problems to the surface in depressingly hilarious ways. Here are some of them: 30 Thought-Provoking Digital Illustrations That Expose The Flaws Of Our Modern Society, Spanish Illustrator Challenges The Minds Of His Audience With 27 Thought-Provoking Illustrations, 101 Thought-Provoking Illustrations By Angel Boligan, Satirical Illustrations Of Today’s Problems By Gunduz Agayev, 64 Satirical Illustrations By The Realist That Will Make You Think.
#17
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
I think it is. What's the message here. Animal vultures better than human vultures???
Load More Replies... Rich McCormick 5 years ago
This is powerful to me. Could have also done the dove of peace in a cage! But vultures are good too!
Nick Grice 2 years ago
The vultures are the oligarchs - in conjunction with the MIC - awaiting highly lucrative post war rebuilding contracts and other spoils - they are withholding the political dove of peace until that time when the most profit, resources and power can be extracted.
#18
gracefullikeagazelle 5 years ago
A friend of mine moved into a condo off of busy Sherbrooke St. in Montreal and is amazed that he can still hear birds singing in the morning. It's a sad comment on the loss of habitat for city-dwelling wild animals.
Full Name 5 years ago
Cities are ideal habitats for tons of animals. Check out the Planet Earth ii episode on cities. It's amazing.
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Tralee Aylett 5 years ago
i felt sad for a overseas visitor that stayed with our family that had never seen stars before. I guess thats small Aust towns for you tho.
Paige Garberding 5 years ago
Canaries in the coal mine are telling us we're about to die if we don't change our destructive ways.
#19
Barbara Vandewalle 5 years ago
A lot of farm land is being buried under cement. Where is the food coming from?
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
soon enoght well all be eating animals once there out well be eating humans
DC 5 years ago
Democracy doesn't work if you rely on leaders doing and thinking everything. It needs involvement of its citizens. ... another possible picture might show trenches instead of benches.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato
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Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago (edited)
"...and they will turn their swords into ploughshares..." from the book of Isaiah; and "The UN is just a talking shop, but talking is better than fighting." -Prof. Eugen Weber, 1985
#20
Greebo Watkins 5 years ago
Oh, and here I thought it was more a comment on sample libraries and midi packs replacing "real" musicians...
#21
Baali Venomax 5 years ago
I think my depression protects me from a lot of this because most of the time, I just don't care enough to be drawn in. Ironic that.
Kevin Wilcoxon 5 years ago
How do commercial interests entice and attack? Through the media!!!!
Chelsea Owens 2 years ago
It reminds me of "Face" from Nick Jr. Maybe it's referring to what our children are viewing.
#22
Tracyann Sanfilippo 4 years ago
So true! Those Duck Lips need a casket all of their own. Duck lips annoy the heck out of me. C'Mon people! Not the Carbon Copy, I'm not comfortable with a natural smile' 1/2 fake smirk or duck lips. Please stop! It oozzes, "I have no backbone of my own." Dang, I'm harsh sometimes. just some thoughts.
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Tracyann Sanfilippo 4 years ago
It shouldn't? Where do you think the controller should go and why? Just curious. :)
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Jennifer Gould 5 years ago
Testing on the youth? Passing on bad behavior intentionally and while knowing the harm?
Sue MacFarlane 5 years ago
Pretty sure he’s trying to take the phone away from the baby, which is being likened to defusing a bomb.
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#24
Tracyann Sanfilippo 4 years ago
You are funny but that is the beauty of art, Sterling Wible. There are no errors. Art is ambiguous on so many levels, whereas spelling is not. Batteries is the correct spelling without the hyphen as the batteries are not possessing anything. We can all critique so here is a taste of the other side. In support of epic artists, let's just let that sh!+ go and dig on these beautiful creations!
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#26
Paige Garberding 5 years ago
If all humans had to hunt, torture, kill, and butcher their own meat, most humans wouldn't survive which would be a good thing for all other living things.
Tracyann Sanfilippo 4 years ago
sure, if you do not mind pork or beef rotting in your intestines for two weeks. If you don't mind consuming fear. Check out, A diet for a New America. It is time to wake up from the slumber.
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Iliana Nichols 5 years ago
i'm sorry, but I do love a good steak or ham with rice. It's delicious.
Ari 5 years ago
Funny how on every vegan promoting illustration there's always someone who feels the need to say how much they love their meat.
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Edwin Lesperance 5 years ago
Not sorry. Humans are omnivores. Notice our pointed canine teeth for meat. We also have large molars to chew veggies. Until we can eat grass, we must let the cow process it into protein for us.
Bacony 5 years ago
Shut up, you ruminant! Leave me and my bacon sandwich alone!
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Rich McCormick 5 years ago
I take this to mean that Facebook is taking a slice out of our lives on a daily basis!
Tracyann Sanfilippo 4 years ago
I Love being 51. Ahh, the lessons, memories and insight. Wisdom Keeper with healthy swag and confidently still pretty too. A woman whom knows what she wants and how to manifest it learned by walking many miles. You'll get there some day, honey. We all earn our wrinkles and that is okay. Have a Cry, I truly wish you compassion and love for all. Take good care.
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SilverFoX 5 years ago
Good for u! I don't have any social media and never will!
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#30
Jessica Parkos 5 years ago
These are all metaphorical and not supposed to be real or funny. Seems you're missing the point of many of them.
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Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
I second that emotion. A fraction of what we squander on "defense" could eliminate world hunger, revitalize our schools, provide affordable housing for everyone, fix our infrastructure AND keep Social Security solvent.
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Ruth Mayfly 5 years ago
My best guess is that the woman sees marriage as romantic, and the man sees it as a comfy thing where he'll be taken care of.
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Alexey Poselenov 5 years ago
Yes... I totally agree with you. It's an informational war.
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#34
Ian Taggart 5 years ago
This is the third most urgent issue for the planet. After trees and ocean plastic.
#36
Logan Scaggs 5 years ago
That's true to me. The scene in Mr. and Mrs. Smith where they completely destroy the house when they're shooting at each other makes me cringe. But with life I sympathize with people who've lost someone because I've lost someone too. But yeah why not care about the paint rather than the painter? I have evolved though and I try not to waste anything. If I don't need it or want it anymore I donate it, if it's food I save it for leftovers or give it to my dog.
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#38
#40
Jasmine 5 years ago
Not saying this to argue, I just find it interesting, the Bible actually does not promise happiness. It says to be joyful in the Lord, but it talks about how offenses and trials are inevitable. Also, living a godly life is work and full of sacrifice.
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#42
XianJaguar 5 years ago
I don't know what this picture is trying to say, but I own chickens, and they are FASCINATED with watching videos on my smartphone.
FatBaby 5 years ago
maybe its saying that we act like sheep following the shepard
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#45
Harold Summer 5 years ago
Go away, you tired, you poor, You huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Deport these, the homeless, tempest-tost from me, I lift my Predator drone beside the golden door!
#46
Harry B 5 years ago
Sometimes you have to make your own excitement? Or through our actions we create our own environmental problems.
Megan Elizabeth Diffenderfer 5 years ago
Could also be sexual assault. The water seems to make jail bars around them, and he's got his arm around her while she looks uncomfortable.
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*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
We have the power to bend the way nature flows at our feet, and we can use it for anything we please
#47
#48
Megan Elizabeth Diffenderfer 5 years ago
But maybe harder for the woman. Her clothes seem to be dirtier and she's carrying more than he is.
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#49
#50
Alexey Poselenov 5 years ago
Genious image!! It's served to be seen of everybody. But all pictures like this are senseless at last because nobody do the way shown here
#51
#53
John L 5 years ago
Or maybe vanity, is too much of a motivator in our lives?
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gracefullikeagazelle 5 years ago
Me neither. Is that hair dryer running on batteries?? =D
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#54
#58
Ceredwyn Ealanta 5 years ago
Taking a drug or steroid to temporarily sate a different hunger.
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Harold Summer 5 years ago
Too true. We have a hard time leaving the security of our own contrived prisons.
#62
#66
John L 5 years ago
Exactly! It's supposed to be a way to ask for redemption, not a get out of jail free, card.
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#68
#71
#75
MADELEINE KIMBALL 5 years ago
oh, how I wish I could/ get away from this safe monotony/and race into the sunset on the blackened sea
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Bobrossissenpai 5 years ago
I'm sorry we're using technology. Geez I'm tired of this whole "technology bad book good" thing
Ed Souza 5 years ago
Nice art... but this concept got old years ago... I get it, technology bad!
Full Name 5 years ago (edited)
The phone one in particular has been done in several different panels in several different posts. Time for some fresh ideas. To be fair though, we've seen it a million times but maybe a 15 yr old hasn't.
Load More Replies... bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
if life was a game most of us would be losing it b/c some in this world only care about money and ignore the fact that our planet is dying soon enoght when the oceans are full of trash were gonna be sending trash into space and once space is full were gonna travel to another planet , The cycle is gonna keep repeating . The other handful of people who are trying to save this planet have the softest and kindness heart b/c there trying to save future life .
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
if you watch the movie wall-e ... it will look like earth in the movie .
Load More Replies... Terd Fergison 5 years ago
Great work. I love art that inspires critical thought. I hope this artwork opens someone's mind.
LittleMissLotus 5 years ago
The art style is really great an these make you really think... I like them
How Terribly Unfortunate 5 years ago
It's really sad to see all these and realize that yes, they are becoming more and more of a reality.
-AestheticDevil- 5 years ago
These are beautiful and deep. Really makes you see our world differently.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Seeing our world differently without taking action to change it for the better is useless.
Load More Replies... Bobrossissenpai 5 years ago
I'm sorry we're using technology. Geez I'm tired of this whole "technology bad book good" thing
Ed Souza 5 years ago
Nice art... but this concept got old years ago... I get it, technology bad!
Full Name 5 years ago (edited)
The phone one in particular has been done in several different panels in several different posts. Time for some fresh ideas. To be fair though, we've seen it a million times but maybe a 15 yr old hasn't.
Load More Replies... bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
if life was a game most of us would be losing it b/c some in this world only care about money and ignore the fact that our planet is dying soon enoght when the oceans are full of trash were gonna be sending trash into space and once space is full were gonna travel to another planet , The cycle is gonna keep repeating . The other handful of people who are trying to save this planet have the softest and kindness heart b/c there trying to save future life .
bananapower_2.0 5 years ago
if you watch the movie wall-e ... it will look like earth in the movie .
Load More Replies... Terd Fergison 5 years ago
Great work. I love art that inspires critical thought. I hope this artwork opens someone's mind.
LittleMissLotus 5 years ago
The art style is really great an these make you really think... I like them
How Terribly Unfortunate 5 years ago
It's really sad to see all these and realize that yes, they are becoming more and more of a reality.
-AestheticDevil- 5 years ago
These are beautiful and deep. Really makes you see our world differently.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Seeing our world differently without taking action to change it for the better is useless.
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