We Can!

In this piece, I wanted to play with symbols of consumerism and national identity, blending pop culture with a deeper social commentary. The familiar red-and-white branding evokes corporate power and mass production, yet the distorted can shape and dripping liquid suggest something broken, discarded, or consumed beyond recognition.

The phrase “We Can” is both an affirmation and a question—does it represent optimism, unity, and progress, or is it a critique of blind consumerism and excess? The background, reminiscent of the American flag, reinforces themes of nationalism, industry, and the American Dream, but its muted, unfinished quality hints at something eroded or incomplete.

By manipulating these iconic elements, I invite the viewer to reflect on the intersection of identity, capitalism, and cultural influence. What do we consume, and what consumes us?

specs

  • date — 2016
  • format — 120 x 120cm (diptych)
  • medium — acrylic
  • material — cardboard
  • subject — daily life
  • original — price on request