This artwork is a tribute to the Great Migration of black people from the South to the North in search of job opportunities in the auto industry in Detroit. The piece depicts the contrast between the opportunities available in the industry and the decline of the industry that eventually led to the drug trade in Detroit. The white vehicle in the artwork represents the trade, and the phrase "Crowd Pleaser" symbolizes the admiration that drug dealers receive for their success.
The artwork also highlights the contrasting conditions of the auto workers at the Packer plant and the trade's impact on the city, which still persists today. While the historical account of most Dealer's lives and career is a subject of controversy, the artwork is not meant to glorify the drug trade, but rather to bring attention to its impact on Detroit and its people.
The migration of birds northward serves as a reminder of the city's rich history and the social and economic changes that the community has faced. Overall, the artwork reflects the complex history of Detroit and calls for social and economic justice.
- Subject Matter: Thought, Inner Child, History, Family, Detroit
- Reproductions: Available
- Collections: ToneyTales / Street Dreams, Tony Whlgn Neiman Marcus Exhibition