Alex Pyle

This work is designed to exhibit how representations of the human form can be a tool for social change. The contents of this publication and silkscreen print present the faces of  Nazis from the Second World War, and a range of their victims, half and half. The concealment of which category the individuals fall into is intentional. It is used to challenge the viewer’s assumptions based on appearance, and force them to reflect on their own prejudices. The volatile political climate has brought to the surface a revival of more extreme and discriminatory views. This work is a reminder of the dangers of judging people from their appearance.

The imagery used has been drawn from open-access resources. The aim is to foster critical reflection and dialogue around visual perception and identity. With thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the preservation and accessibility of these records in the public domain for educational purposes. 

I invite viewers to confront their own biases and assumptions in the act of looking. Whilst recognizing the profound weight and responsibility in presenting these images and doing so with respect for every life represented. Mediums like silkscreen printing acknowledge a history of misinformation, activism and the weaponization of the human form in visual culture, commenting on its contemporary relevance.

The aim is not to sensationalize, but to provoke thought and reflection on the complexities of human nature and social coherence. This work also aims to acknowledge the diversity of individuals affected by this hatred and has attempted to reflect this in the imagery used.