2019. Edition of 550
36” x 24” (91 x 61cm)
Five-color screen-print with metallic gold ink on cream Speckletone paper
Signed and numbered in pencil
"Fan the Flames is about the unfortunate truth that unchecked capitalism and a livable planet will soon be incompatible. Capitalism is predicated on expanding consumption and profits without regard to environmental consequences (with the exception of a few conscientious companies). I’m not making an indictment of capitalism in its entirety, only making the point that safety checks need to exist to put the health of the many before the profits of a few. The function of government is to serve the needs of the people who elected it before the needs of corporations, however corporate donations and lobbyists corrupt democracy in the way that they shift government's priorities from the needs of the many to the desires of big corporations. Campaign finance reform would help to keep polluters and fossil fuel corporations from going unchecked. We all need to think about how we vote and how we consume with an eye on a very delicate future ecologically." -Shepard