Portfolio > Original artwork - Matters of Conscience series

Prior to the 2014 State of the Union Address, it was reported that the top wealthiest 1% of American citizens possessed 40% of the nation’s wealth whereas the bottom 80% owned 7%. During the post-2008 economic recovery, 95% of economic gains went to the top 1% net worth individuals. Wealth inequalities of this magnitude can have deleterious effects on societies as those at the lower rungs of the ladder perceive that opportunities for advancement become further out of reach. Imagery from Simon Vouet’s “Allegory of Wealth” was appropriated for this piece and she is shown coddling a wealthy businessman, with both of them looking with indifference down at a less well-off individual.