THE WAR ON DRUGS (2019)

Tom Herck’s piñata sculptures serve as powerful symbols of the ongoing drug war, particularly between the U.S. and Mexico. Unlike traditional piñatas, these sculptures are hard to destroy, symbolizing the enduring nature of the drug crisis.

The police baton used to strike the piñata is made from a vulnerable material—if it were to hit the concrete piñata, it would break. This acts as a metaphor for the "War on Drugs"—violence cannot solve the issue; it’s a problem that cannot be stopped by force alone.

The piñata stands on a munitions box, referencing cartel violence and the link between arms and drug trafficking. Coins featuring Richard Nixon and Mexico’s eagle symbolize the money spent on the drug war and the historical and geopolitical factors shaping the trade. The piñata also alludes to drug mules—both a symbol of the people carrying drugs and the role of the piñata in transporting goods. Filled with coca leaves instead of candy, the piñatas challenge conventional views on the drug war.

© Tekst by Lara van Oudenaarde
©Pictures by Tom Herck