These Brutally Honest Illustrations Show Exactly What Is Wrong With Modern Society

These Brutally Honest Illustrations Show Exactly What Is Wrong With Modern Society

John Holcroft is an illustrator from the UK who’s satirical art has appeared in publications such as the Financial Times, The Guardian and The Economist. His work frequently focuses on issues of the economy, environment and workplace, as well are more personal issues of mental illness and the increasing personal disconnect that many people feel as technology increasingly becomes ingrained in the daily routine of just about everyone.

These images are no different. Holcroft covers a wide variety of topics across this large group of images. Recurring theme’s rapidly become apparent.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Beware the trolls.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

The previous two images are extremely disturbing when considered together rather than separately.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

If you’re checking your social media for likes every 5 minutes, there’s a good chance you’ve got a problem.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Clearly John doesn’t have a high opinion of social media, even suggesting it’s the “last nail in the coffin” for literature. Although we can say that without social media, a lot of us would never discover some of the literature that is out there to experience.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Even the Trump administration doesn’t escape Holcroft’s satire, despite him only actually being in power for the last 6 months.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Holcroft also provides a fairly disturbing view on environmental issues. Australia knows all too well about cutting down forest for short term financial gains.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

An interesting take on how so many people work towards a single person’s happiness. Good reason not to be an asshole to customer service people.

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Shit rolls down hill. And if you’re at the bottom things can get pretty shitty.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

An eerie commentary on how ‘excess workers’ are treated in today’s society. Anyone who’s ever had to deal with Centrelink between jobs will know how dehumanising and wasteful the whole process is.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

He doesn’t fail to put a critical eye to the workforce either, including the barriers women face in the workplace.

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

A take on the old “You Are What You Eat” saying.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

A fairly accurate assessment on the type of celebrity that gets pumped out these days.

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Possibly a take on how fragile financial markets are? It really doesn’t take much to bring it all crashing down. A ‘market correction’ is all it might take to bring down the entire economy.

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Perhaps a comment on how people will feed their kids absolute crap just to keep them happy?

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Even Britain’s exit from the European Union got the Holcroft treatment.

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

I don’t really know if this is really meant to be a criticism. Being able to use your phone for so many different functions seems more like a convenience to me. Although I’m sure those keychain flashlight makers hate them.

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Is Holcroft critical of the commercialisation of UK’s national monuments? This piece strongly indicates yes.

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Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

Credit: John Holcroft

This, of course, is just a fraction of his total works. You can find more at www.johnholcroft.com

H/T: Bored Panda