The problem remains, 2026
Mixed media
69 cm x 48 cm
Artist’s Statement
The problem remains transforms a discarded cardboard protest sign into a mixed media sculpture that reflects on the gap between temporary protests and the lasting conditions that cause them. Made from reclaimed cardboard, steel, paint, marker ink, tape, staples, fire and found materials, the artwork explores how ordinary materials can carry collective memory.
Cardboard protest signs are often made quickly, carried for one demonstration and thrown away when public attention moves on. However, the issues they represent, such as housing shortages, unemployment, inequality, corruption, gender based violence, poor service delivery and the struggle for dignity and opportunity, continue to affect people’s lives.
The sculpture keeps the physical marks of struggle through burn marks, tears, stains, repairs and weathered surfaces. The front reads “THE PROBLEM REMAINS,” while the back looks like an official archive filled with stamps, dates and notices of delay. It suggests a system that records public concerns but struggles to respond to them.
By turning a disposable object into a lasting artwork, The problem remains asks viewers to think about memory, value and the social issues that continue long after a protest has ended.
The sign was made to be thrown away. The problem remains.
Image Gallery
