Self-worship, materialism, the collusion of Western leaders with African despots, forms of modern slavery that we (often unconsciously and unknowingly) encourage, the rhetorical games played by those in power – Lisbon-born illustrator Daniel Garcia loves portraying it all. In addition to his depictions of global economic and political trends that keep appearing now and then in magazines, he has put together a more personal – and provocative – portfolio that brilliantly dissects the contemporary social, and with that, human situation.

“Take a big breath for a moment,” says Daniel. “Turn off your iPhone and computer and have a break. Forget that colourful, tempestuous and numb overflow of images, feelings and information that you are exposed to from morning until evening. From your everyday life mix of work, relationship, family, sex, politics, shallow celebrities, advertisement, violence, sports, how much can you still feel? Sometimes the lights are too bright, sometimes everything happens too fast. My illustrations pretend to be a break from the usual visual, neutral subjects. I present fresh but relatable social and psychological content on important things that we see and feel everyday, but are too busy to give a thought to.”

Apart from his native Portugal, Daniel has spent time in Spain and Poland. He has worked for clients from about 15 countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, the US and Mexico.

Links: Website (www.danielgarciaart.com) | Facebook (www.facebook.com/danielgarciaart)

Images used with permission.

 

Daniel says: “Which of these products do you use? I wanted to do a piece on all the products we depend on, that are made or reaped by forced labor, child workers, sex slaves, etc.”

—

Daniel says: “Thousands of people in death, and thousands of people running from it. It is not our fault if we pretend that we never exploited their land for its resources in exchange for little, we never collaborated with and allowed for dictatorships that bring them misery, we never sold them weapons that perpetuate death, and we never stopped them from escaping all this…”

—

Daniel says: “The big concepts of mankind can be used either to free it or to subdue it. Especially, the latter, throughout history.”

—

Daniel says: “One of the most complex compositions I’ve ever drawn, sixteen men and women from all ages and social positions, all thinking – in their own way – they know better… about people and the ways of the world.”

—

Daniel says: “Your happiness, your success, your friends, your things, and so on…”

—