Trafficking Hunger
This sculpture confronts the stark reality of the Venezuelan crisis, juxtaposing the opulence of power with the despair of the people. The towering pile of black packets, meticulously wrapped in plastic and tape, embodies the shadowy dealings of a government that thrives on illegal drug trade. The pedestal upon which this pile rests symbolizes the elevation of corruption, its stability assured by the suffering it inflicts on the masses.
The pool of blood at the base of this tower is a visceral representation of the human cost of this illicit wealth. It speaks to the violence, the hunger, and the systemic oppression that have bled the country dry. Each packet seems to hold within it the weight of despair, the commodification of human lives for profit.
But the sculpture's narrative shifts at the pinnacle of the pile, where a knife has torn open the top packet, revealing not drugs, but "harina P.A.N."—a staple of the Venezuelan diet, used to make arepas. This revelation is a powerful metaphor for the true wealth of the nation: not in illicit substances, but in the basic sustenance that should be accessible to all.
The exposed flour serves as a stark contrast to the darkness surrounding it, symbolizing the hope and resilience of the Venezuelan people, even in the face of exploitation and deprivation. It also underscores the tragic irony that while the government profits from illegal activities, its citizens are denied the very essentials needed to survive.
This work challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface, to question the systems of power that perpetuate inequality and suffering. It is a call to awareness, urging us to recognize the human stories hidden beneath the layers of corruption and to stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for a life of dignity and peace.