Nathaniel St. Clair
Sacrifice Zones, 2021
The artwork above was photographed by Nathaniel St. Clair with the goal of bringing attention to systemic racism in the United States. The artwork highlights how the Black Lives Matter Movement, effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and sacrifice zones have had an effect on low-income communities of color. This artwork related to this week’s topic about the prevalence of sacrifice zones near communities of color. The artwork is filled with symbolism, but what stands out most to me is the face in the center. The eye shows sadness and the other half of their face has dissipated into smoke from factories, calling attention to the community likely being a sacrifice zone. I also think it is interesting how the American flag is located at the bottom and it is missing its stars. I interpreted this to mean that the artist believes America is failing to protect its states, so it has lost its stars. Label by Jonathan Yoder