Untitled 

This untitled work by Ben, likely created during his extensive engagement with socio-political issues, uses charcoal to render a stark scene of three figures bearing heavy wooden crosses. The figures’ struggle evokes themes of burden, sacrifice, and collective suffering. Ben's work often explores the intersection of race, labor, and spirituality, reflecting the artist's deep connection to the experiences of marginalized communities. This piece could be viewed through the lens of the Civil Rights Movement, where bearing the cross might symbolize the weight of systemic oppression and the struggle for equality. The use of chiaroscuro intensifies the emotional impact, casting the figures in a dramatic light that underscores their physical and emotional strain. Ben masterfully uses the medium to convey a sense of both individual anguish and shared resilience. Ultimately, this artwork serves as a powerful statement on human endurance and solidarity, inviting viewers to reflect on the personal and collective costs of social injustice.