The Goal Is Cruelty
9" x 12" • Two-Color Hand-Pulled Screen Print
Centered in the composition is an illustration of Liam Conejo Ramos—an image that has become emblematic of the human cost of policies enacted and enforced by ICE. Surrounding him, the phrase “THE GOAL IS CRUELTY” repeats over and over, building into a dark, suffocating cloud. The words are not background texture—they are atmosphere. They are pressure. They are policy made visible.
Boldly set within the piece is the question:
ARE WE GREAT YET?
Printed in baby blue and black, each layer is pulled by hand—embracing the slight variations. The baby blue immediately conjures up the heart-breaking image of 5 year old Liam which is systematic of all the children being terrorized.
This piece was created as a way to process rage and grief—particularly in response to reported enforcement surges, including one in Minnesota in which thousands were detained while only a small fraction were accused of violent crimes. The language of “worst of the worst” is often repeated, but this print asks viewers to look closely at who is actually bearing the weight of that rhetoric.
About the Edition:
This was a technically challenging print to produce. Because of that, I have a small number of prints with slight imperfections—minor registration shifts or subtle ink inconsistencies. They are still powerful, still display beautifully, but they don’t meet my standard for full retail pricing.
Rather than throw them away, I’m offering these imperfect prints for $5. I just like the idea of giving a low price point for something I care about, but isn’t perfect.
Standard edition prints are $25. Imperfect prints are $5.
Shown framed for display inspiration, this print is sold unframed and will be carefully shipped flat.
