Built On Their Backs: The Foundations of Systemic Oppression
- Imani Dumas
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Built On Their Backs exposes the foundations of systemic oppression. A king sits on a throne carried by two kneeling figures, transforming exploitation into symbolic realism.
The sculpture critiques historical and ongoing inequities, including slavery, capitalism, and unjust labor systems, inviting viewers to reflect on society’s complicity in sustaining hierarchies.
The work questions the morality of inherited power. When societies allow wealth and privilege to exist at the expense of the labor and suffering of others, freedom and equality are illusions.
People deserve systems that honor dignity, ensure justice, and distribute opportunity equitably.
By embodying exploitation in a tangible form, the sculpture forces viewers to confront their own participation in oppressive systems—whether through economic transactions, social norms, or political inaction.
The figure of the king is not just historical; it is a symbol of contemporary inequity as well.
Ultimately, Built On Their Backs demands societal accountability. It insists that justice, equity, and human dignity cannot be optional, and that the freedom of all people is interdependent. The sculpture is a visual assertion that equality is non-negotiable and must be actively upheld.
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