“Forfeit 280” draws attention to how Monsanto committed 30 misdemeanor crimes related to a pesticide called Forfeit 280. Monsanto used the product in 2020 on corn fields in Oahu, Hawaii and allowed workers to enter the fields after it was applied despite a six-day restriction to enter.1 In addition to environmental injustices that farm workers experience, the drawing calls attention to genetic engineering by companies such as Monsanto. The plants in the drawing appear corn-like, but also unnatural to suggest genetic engineering. The mirrored image creates a hideous monster to demonstrate how such injustice has ripple effects.
1. “Monsanto Agrees to Plead Guilty to Illegally Using Pesticide at Corn Growing Fields in Hawaii and to Pay Additional $12 Million.” United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, 09, Dec. 2021, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/monsanto-agrees-plead-guilty-illegally-using-pesticide-corn-growing-fields-hawaii-and. Press release.
I really like this piece. The middles of the flowers feel like staring eyes: very haunting and effective.