Cost of slavery by K.M Asad"This building will stand a hundred years," the owner boasted just a day before collapse. The next morning, it came down. "Shoitaner shoitan," they cursed the owner of the building with the words “you are the devil's devil” The number of dead bodies discovered went over the thousand mark. Thousands of mourners have gathered at the ruins of a garment factory building to offer prayers for the souls of the 1,127 people who died in the structure's collapse on 24th April. This was the worst tragedy in the history of the global garment industry. It came months after a fire at another garment factory in Bangladesh in November killed 112 workers The Savar tragedy is a symbol of our failure as a nation. The crack in Rana Plaza that caused the collapse of the building has only shown us that if we don't face up to the cracks in our state systems, that we as a nation will get lost in the debris of the collapse.Many Western companies, which have activities in Bangladesh, have engaged in significant public relations campaigns to minimise the fallout from revelations about their worker's inhumane conditions. Dozens of consumers in the US spoke out against unsafe working conditions found in the factory building. But not many consumers question the source of the cheap clothes in which they purchase.The "Made in Bangladesh" tag has now taken on a changed meaning. It costs blood to tag a price on those products made by our workers. It is high time the Bangladesh government took revolutionary steps for the sake of the neglected garment workers. Did we learn anything at all from these terrible massacres? Or will we have completed our duty by merely expressing our deepest sympathy.

What goes in an artists statement?

Answer the following questions;

What is the concept of your body of work, what topic does the work discuss or question?Why are you producing it? (not because I have told you to or for a qualification)How is it personal to you and your life?What does your work question or challenge?

Use contextual information and a passionate writing style to raise interest in this subject matter. Using past experiences or stories engages people. You will explain how the subject matter is personal to you, but the concept might be alien to the audience. Your artist statement should ensure the person reading it will desire to explore your images and subject matter further.

Target, 250 words.

Student Example – Karley Khan

Since the dawn of human civilisation, humans have sculpted and distorted the natural world. Farming, irrigation, grazing, burning and clearing are but some of the practices still used to modify the landscape today. Such unsympathetic practices can cause extensive irreversible damage. There are very few remote regions of the world remaining that have not felt the persuasive force of the human hand. Yet even the most hostile and isolated areas are still affected by anthropogenic activity. By 2050 the global population is set to exceed the 9billion mark, requiring a 70% increase in food production. That's equal to and extra 1bn tonnes of rice, wheat and other cereals and 200m tonnes of meat produced. But with 69% of worldwide agricultural land now classified as degraded, and 51% of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the raising of livestock, how will future generations feed themselves?

I believe, as an intelligent species, human stewardship for the environment and all species should be fundamental to all activities. A personal connection to the natural world is imperative for human spirituality and the soul. We have a moral obligation to protect the global environment, take responsibility for our actions, inspire change and create a utopian ecosystem for all species.