Thoughts behind the artwork...

When I finished this bleak and desolate piece, I knew that my own words did not need to be added to the scene. It is a heartbreaking commentary on the world we are now in I'm afraid. Little did I know that almost exactly two months after completing this work, an event near me would literally mirror the scene depicted. I would like to share the story, which was related from a woman known to my family:

Recently, this woman went to work out at the health club near her home, which is something she does nearly every day. Following her usual work out, she found herself sitting with a group of people in the sauna. After a few minutes of relaxation, a wristwatch alarm sounded. An older, larger man sitting across from her looked at his wrist, acknowledged the alarm, and made to stand up. Once standing, he had to sit right back down. It looked as if he had spent just a little too long in the heat. On his third try, he was able to amble his way out of the sauna, walk across the swimming pool area, and take a seat near the ladies' locker room... still in clear view of where she was seated in the sauna.

A few minutes later, she herself left the sauna and made her way towards the locker room. Upon reaching the door to the locker room, she noticed the man stretched out on the lawn style chair with his chin on his breast. She gave him a nudge on the shoulder and asked if he was doing alright. No response. She hunkered down and looked at his face. His lips were dark purple and his eyes were closed. She checked for vital signs and found none. She immediately began calling for help. Every single person present (there were MANY people present) simply kept walking away. Nobody helped her. The man was too large for her to move. She begged people for help so that she could begin administering CPR. Nobody helped her. It was as if they were not even there. She RAN out of the s wimming pool area and up to the front desk "Call 911!" she said. With a bored expression, the person at the desk asked "Why??". She rapidly explained the situation and ran back to help the man. Finally, somebody helped move him so she could perform CPR. Miraculously, she was able to bring him back.

It took 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. 45 minutes.

This happened in a health club filled with people. Imagine if you will... your father... mother... son... or daughter... unresponsive in the midst of many able-bodied people... all of whom refuse to even offer help in any way. Too busy to be bothered by a perfect stranger who was obviously dying at their feet. This is the world we are living in.

-John Alexander (aka SirJohn)