There are a lot of issues in today's society. Addiction to social media, devaluation of workers, unhealthy lifestyles, and that's just a few of them. A lot of us don't even notice these problems; we either ignore them or don't run into them at all. However, artist John Holcroft tackles them head-on and illustrates the issues of today's world in his satirical and honest art.

John has been illustrating since 1996. He works and lives in the UK. His past clients include Guardian, Telegraph, Times, BBC, and many others. John Holcroft's art looks simplistic, but it hides a deep and complicated meaning. It's pretty amazing how he can portray such serious topics with one simple illustration.

If you want to see some of the previous posts about John Holcroft on Bored Panda, click here and here. Don't forget to upvote your favorite illustrations and to tell us what you think in the comment section below!

More info: Instagram | Facebook | Johnholcroft Website | Etsy

Discover more in What's Wrong With Today's Society Captured In 32 Brutally Honest Illustrations By John Holcroft

Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.

#1

This Illustration Is Going To Lose Me Some Followers

Man leading sheep with shadow holding an axe illustrating what's wrong with today's society concept.

JohnHolcroftPrints Report

We got hold of John to ask him some questions about his art: "I started illustrating professionally in 1996, originally studying graphic design in the early '90s, but the recession made it impossible to find work especially as technology was going through a big change. I decided to illustrate using acrylics on board, which changed to digital in 2000. Having created a few different styles, I settled on my current style in 2010 and have been progressing ever since. I get my inspiration from observing life in general. I’ve always been an odd-ball and seen things differently so I think it shows in my work," said John when asked what inspires him to create and when he started to create art.

RELATED:
    #2

    Illustration About Mental Health At A Time Of Social Isolation

    Woman sitting inside a brick head-shaped pit, symbolizing mental confinement in today's society illustration by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    "I don’t set out to lampoon different parts of society and I’m not on a crusade to solve all problems of today. I’m an illustrator and it’s how I make my living so I need to create show pieces to attract work and the work I create has to resonate with people."

    #3

    One Day This Will Be Yours

    Hands holding a c*****d, smoking Earth being passed to another pair of hands, illustrating problems in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    John shares what issues in today's world he is most passionate about: "I’m not more passionate about issues than anyone else; however, I don’t like injustices of any kind so I usually focus my concepts on the things most people care about, such as corporate greed, climate change, and politics. If I had the power to change the world I would try to put an end to corrupt governments and corporate giants having control. I would make sure money is put in the right places, i.e.: tackling climate change and I would have a fairer system that cares for ordinary people."

    #5

    Enough Said

    Man holding an American flag with shadow forming a grim reaper, illustrating issues in today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #6

    A Piece About The Fight Against Climate Change

    Two men in business attire creatively use a barcode to cut down a tree, illustrating problems in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    "My style is conceptual and can sometimes be satirical, but I can normally adapt to the brief I’m working on. The look of my style was originally supposed to emulate the old-style screen-print posters, but it has evolved in the last 10 years and nowadays, I try to keep it simple but hard-hitting," shared John when asked to describe his style. He is a freelance artist and does a lot of commission work.

    #7

    Social Media Can Have A Negative Influence On Teenagers' Self Esteem, Giving Them A False Impression Of How A Body Should Look

    Woman looking at her reflection on a giant smartphone screen in an illustration about today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #8

    Climate Emergency And How We Are Dealing With It

    Three snails wearing red helmets labeled climate emergency, symbolizing slow response to society issues.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    We asked the artist what sort of reactions he gets from people when they see his art: "Most people appreciate the concepts in my work and give me positive feedback, whereas others either don’t quite get it or take great offence and give me grief. The point of my work is to get you thinking and discussing. Of course there will be those who disagree with my points and that’s fine because it keeps me in check."

    #9

    Profiting From The Causes Of Climate Change

    Illustration showing a businessman lighting a fuse on a large b**b shaped like Earth, symbolizing society's destructive issues.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #10

    Making Money

    Man in suit knitting with hundred-dollar bills yarn, illustrating economic issues in today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #11

    Love Hurts

    Heart-shaped lollipop with a hidden razor blade inside, symbolizing harsh truths about today's society in a brutal illustration.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #12

    The Cost Of Pharmaceuticals

    Illustration shows a man pouring money into a giant pill bottle symbolizing issues in today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #13

    Housing Magazine Article About Asylum Seekers Being Evicted And Having The Locks Changed

    Illustration showing a family standing on a key in a lock, symbolizing challenges in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #14

    Online Fraud

    Handcuffs shaped like the at symbol depicting digital captivity in today's society illustration.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #16

    Ladder Of Privilege

    Illustration showing a board game with snakes and a ladder, symbolizing challenges in today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #17

    Illustration About Testing For A Vaccine For Covid 19

    Illustration showing a doctor aiming a bow and arrow shaped like a syringe at a target, highlighting society issues.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #18

    Working From Home In Self Isolation

    Man working on laptop chained to virus illustration, symbolizing what's wrong with today's society in a digital age.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #20

    Going Nowhere

    Businessman running inside a hamster wheel surrounded by walking professionals, illustrating issues in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #21

    Virus In The Works

    Illustration showing society's gears interlocked with currency symbols and a virus shape, symbolizing issues in today’s society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #22

    Ladder Of Success

    Man climbing a ladder formed by a snake, symbolizing challenges in today's society in a brutally honest illustration.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #23

    About Identity Theft

    Illustration of a person running with a bag shaped like WiFi symbol, highlighting problems in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #24

    Piece About Microaggressions

    Illustration of a woman with thorny speech bubble symbolizing harsh truths about today's society by John Holcroft

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #25

    Healthcare Bureaucracy

    Illustration showing societal control and restriction symbolized by red strings and large scissors cutting them.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #26

    Illustration About Internet Security

    Illustration showing a door secured with a chain through an at symbol, highlighting issues in today’s society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #27

    Phishing Email Scams On The Increase During Lockdown

    Man hooked by at symbol like a fishing hook, illustrating what's wrong with today's society and digital a*******n effects.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #28

    Illustration About People Coping Financially During The Pandemic

    Man in a suit bent over with a dollar sign wind-up key on his back, illustrating problems in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #29

    This Is About Screen Time And How Too Much Can Affect Children's Physical And Mental Health

    Illustration showing a person lying on a clock hand symbolizing pressure in today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #30

    This Is About Saving For Retirement

    Two people on a manual rail cart struggling to move along a winding track, illustrating issues in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #31

    What Can We Do To Safeguard Our Economies From The Virus?

    Stacks of money in a domino line facing a coronavirus wrecking ball, illustrating issues in today's society.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    #32

    Illustration About The Cost Of The Virus

    Illustration showing society trapped inside a plastic bag being drained, symbolizing problems in today's society by John Holcroft.

    JohnHolcroftPrints Report

    Add New Image This post is a community curated image gallery Add Image
    Add New Image

    Add Your Photo To This List

    Please use high-res photos without watermarks

    Upload Photo

    Not your original work? Add source

    Publish