Diamonds (From Sierra Leone)

With text cut from advertisements, “Diamonds (From Sierra Leone)” is a reference the Kanye West song of the same name. “Diamonds” evokes bloody injury obscured by steel-colored luxury. and A silver background highlights the lines crossing over and over, accented with red and sepia ink. Further highlights are added with gold acrylic. A diamond ring is attached underneath the cut and pasted text, referencing the danger and bloodshed in unethical diamond mines which exploit underdeveloped communities and their labor. The phrase “Diamonds Are Forever” (“a diamond is forever”) originated in an advertisement for De Beers (the , and succeeded in manipulating cultural ideals to emphasize the association between of diamonds as a commitment meant to help sustain a lifelong marriage. The diamond mining industry has succeeded as far as profit; but at what cost?