WILLY LOMAN. THE RISE AND FALL (AVARICIOUS AND PRODIGAL) 2009

Yinka Shonibare's 2009 photograph "WILLY LOMAN. THE RISE AND FALL (AVARICIOUS AND PRODIGAL)" depicts a group of people, both clothed and nude, interacting with large burlap sacks. The work, which references Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman," is a critique of consumerism and the pursuit of material wealth. Shonibare’s use of a playful yet poignant style, with an implied connection to the tragedy of the play, draws attention to the social and economic realities of contemporary life, challenging viewers to consider the consequences of unbridled ambition.