
Within the past few years, there has been a major social push for education reform within the United States. Since the advancement of technology and social-political ideals, many students have felt abandoned by the education system. Parents, students, and teachers feel as if education has not kept up to meet the demands of students. Recent scientific studies have proven this to be true- that the mind of every child is different and should be accommodated in specific ways. In addition, while education’s mission is to prepare students for the future, they are not advancing the requirements of success. Students are told as children to reach for the sky. Yet, above them is nothing more than a roof labeled, “studying.” With only one roof-top, students are very limited to what goals they can reach towards. This has many people across the United States pushing for reformation. Images like the one pictured above are beginning to make their way into more newspapers and computer screens across both America and the world. In this image, the artist portrays the dysfunction of the education system through the use of color, organization, shape, and text. 

To begin, the use of color emphasizes the lack of creativity in the education system. Paired against a white background, the building, clothing, and faces are masked in a dull-grey shade. With no color present, there is a lack of visual aid to engage the eye. Emotions are non-existent as the viewer stares at a grey building with grey figures paired against a white background. Reminded of a depressing snowy day, the viewer has nothing to gaze upon to engage the senses. Instead, we are forced to stare emotionless at a piece of art work. Through this, the artist encourages logic instead of creativity. Just as the education system discourages students from engaging the senses, the artist discourages the viewer from engaging their emotions. This brings the viewer into the seat of those who are a part of the system. Through this lack of color, we as viewers become trapped in the same world the subjects of the piece are trapped in. However, while the environment, clothes, and faces lack color, one face- the one of the student- is masked in a distinct red. Using red, the artist immediately draws the viewer’s eye towards the center of the work where the viewer can instantly see the entire picture. With the student, the most important subject of the piece, placed in the center, the viewer quickly sees the overall picture. On top of that, the author uses red to clearly and distinctly portray the burden the student is carrying. Bound under the weight of the educational system, the student struggles to keep the roof lifted up on his shoulders. With his heart pounding, his blood pressure rising, the student works tediously to prevent the roof from collapsing upon the other two subjects. Meanwhile, the grey and emotionless subjects sit back, not even realizing the roof that is about to fall upon them. 

Secondly, the use of organization displays to the viewer the simple fact that the student is holding all of the weight on his own. From the first glance, it is apparent that the education system resembles an ancient style building. With teachers, students, universities acting as both the foundation and the pillars, the roof top is supposed to be supported by all three beings working together. As a viewer we understand that through the use of pillars, buildings such as the Pantheon and Parthenon have battled many days and nights, staying up for hundreds of years. However, what the viewers sees is quite the opposite. Instead of the three separate entities working together to support the weight of the system, they have decided to put the weight of the roof upon the student’s shoulder. Students are expected to carry the weight of the system while teachers cross their legs and sleep, never reaching to help the students simply because they don’t have to. After all, having just come out of the same system, teachers do not know any better- they do not know how to help students because they were never helped. They do not know how to reach the heart of the students because their hearts were never reached. And this is because at one point in time, teachers were in the same spots as students- carrying the weight while having money stolen from their pocket. While the teachers sleep and the students work tediously, universities sit happily, pulling dollar after dollar out of the students’ pockets. This, as the artist portrays, is the education system. Through this specific organization, the viewer can easily predict the building will not stand for long. As a matter of fact, it should have fallen a long time ago since the students carry all of the weight on their own. 

Lastly, through text, the artist conveys the importance of his message. Without the words “teacher,” “student,” “university,” and “study,” the viewer would not understand the roles of each piece within the image. Though the words lack complexity, they thoroughly fulfill their role, describing to the viewer the things that need to be described. Focusing on the rooftop, the artist displays a particular argument through his words. As children, we are taught to reach towards the sky to achieve our dreams, goals, and ambitions. Instead of the rooftop being labeled as these though, the artist simply labels it “study.” Over the last few decades, the education system has thrown out the idea of reaching towards the sky. Instead, they have put a cap on education and have deemed the roof to be labeled “studying.” Under this system, the student has absolutely nothing to shoot for. The bar has been set and it has been set low- study. With nothing hopeful to shoot for, students are forced to subdue their creative thoughts, throw away their goals, and carry the burden of studying.

In conclusion, through the use of color, shape, and text, the artist depicts the overbearing weight of the modern-day education system. Frustrated by the lack of change, the artist displays the idea that students are carrying all of the weight in the modern system. With an increase of images like these, Americans are pushing for change since they realize things are not the way they should be.  
