© Wesaam al-Badry
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Pomegranates #II
2020
Not on view
The vivid contrast of the bright blue sack and the vibrant red pomegranates cascading over its rim is what first captures a viewer’s attention in Pomegranates #II. Through his art, Wesaam Al-Badry strategically employs the allure of abundant produce to direct focus away from the laborers themselves, shedding light on and critiquing the invisibility of migrant workers. California’s relationship with its vast produce farms and those who cultivate them is complex; laborers not only pick crucial agricultural produce but also generate billions of dollars for the state economy. Despite their pivotal role, these essential workers toil largely unseen and face increasing risks, a reality starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many Bay Area residents sought refuge in the safety of their homes, shielded from both contagion and the devastating effects of wildfires, they relied on the sustenance provided by these vulnerable workers. Al-Badry highlights this reality by hiding the laborers’ faces and intensifying the color saturation of the fruit in this composition.
- Artist
- Wesaam Al-Badry (b. 1984)
- Title
- Pomegranates #II
- Date
- 2020
- Object Type
- Medium
- Inkjet print
- Dimensions
- Image: 40 x 32 in. (101.6 x 81.28 cm) Overall: 44 x 38 in. (111.76 x 96.52 cm) Framed: 41 1/8 x 49 1/8 in. (104.458 x 124.778 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase, a gift from The Svane Family Foundation
- Accession Number
- 2022.26.13.1