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Renowned for creating art rich in social commentary, Elijah McKenzie-Jackson has just unveiled his newest piece ‘321 ping’ – which intends to highlight the staggering number of victims who succumb to gun violence every day in the US.
‘As an artist, I feel it is my duty to use my work to spark conversations and bring attention to important social issues,’ says 19-year-old Elijah McKenzie-Jackson.
Wise beyond his years, the British-born artist and activist has created a powerful and evocative piece called ‘321 ping,’ which will begin to pop up on billboards across the States in the coming weeks.
Comprised of two standout elements, the piece features a red social media engagement bubble displaying 321 broken hearts and a single gun. This figure reflects the stark reality that on average 321 lives are taken by gun violence in the US every single day.
Alongside this focal element is half a solemn portrait sprayed in vivid shades of red and yellow. This is representative of everyday civilians and reflects the reality that anyone can be affected in an instant by the ever-present threat of firearms.
As we discovered last summer in an impromptu chat with the artist, McKenzie-Jackson has always been a strong advocator for both environmental and social justice, and his latest design is a powerful indictment of arguably the country’s most endemic problem.
