Fruits of Labor

Faith LaBelle

Year

2026

Status

In storage

Behind a series of windows, some open, some closed, some rusted, the Fruits of Labor is revealed in shifting light. Squares across the floor guide the viewer toward the central statue, which stands before a blocked exit, framed by the rusted walls of the surrounding room. The central figure raises the fruits of their labor, a symbol of their effort. Flanking this figure are two white statues: one celebrates alongside the central figure, recognizing the value of hard work; the other restrains and covets, seeking to claim what has been earned by someone else. At their feet lie treasures, yet the left figure’s desire for more emphasizes the tension between the statues. Notably, the central statue possesses no material gain from the fruits of labor, only the value of the labor itself. Through this composition, the work reflects on the human experience of effort, the celebration of accomplishments, and the challenge of guarding what one has created against appropriation. I invite the audience to reflect: which statue do you see yourself in?