How do artists use concrete to critique modernity in figurative works?

Concrete, often associated with urban development and industrialization, has become a potent medium for artists to critique modernity in figurative works. By incorporating this rigid, industrial material into their creations, contemporary artists highlight themes of alienation, decay, and the dehumanizing effects of modern society.

Figurative sculptures made of concrete often juxtapose the fragility of human forms with the material’s cold, unyielding nature. This contrast serves as a metaphor for the tension between humanity and the mechanized world. Artists like Thomas Houseago and Rachel Whiteread use concrete to explore the erosion of individuality in urban landscapes, while others employ it to comment on social inequality and environmental degradation.

The rough texture and gray monotony of concrete also symbolize the homogenization of modern life, turning cities into sterile, impersonal spaces. Through their work, these artists challenge viewers to reflect on the costs of progress and the loss of organic connection in contemporary society. Concrete, in their hands, becomes not just a material but a statement—a critique of the very foundations of modernity.