Our Agents, from the installation The Cost of Living
Two-Dimensional Wall Art > Sculptural Relief (Mixed Media)
54 x 72 x 2
$10,000.00
Artwork #
208
Artist's Statement
My recent work examines the housing crisis in America from various perspectives, tracing events from the Great Recession to resulting inequities since - reduction of home ownership, the rising cost of rent, gentrification and increasing homelessness nationwide. "Our Agents" is a photo-based installation comprised of 48 portraits of what appear to be ordinary people at first glance; each is a composite of at least 6 images of actual real estate agents. Rather than simply criticizing the real estate profession alone, my agents serve as a metaphor for a flawed system that drives the cost of housing beyond the reach of most working class Americans. "Our Agents" uses subtle humor to engage with critical discourse around the issue of affordable housing, which should be considered a basic, human right, but all too often becomes a game of speculation for those who can afford to play.
Artist
Valerie Mendoza
Contact Information
excellentbird@mac.com
