Artist Statement

Workers' Rights 

Tucker Marden 

My artwork is a metal hand holding a wrench. I welded it with scraps, bolts, washers, and nuts on the outside to give it some shape. Then, I bent the fingers so they were holding a wrench to show they were working. I chose to weld my project because it connects with the topic I researched, 

My project stands for workers' rights and the workers’ unions. The union is essential because it ensures that the workers have equal rights and get paid enough. In June of 2020, the shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works went on a strike. The strike lasted for basically the whole summer.  In August the BIW union approved a 3 year contract which ended the strike. Unions are important because workers are protected when they’re part of the union. If they don’t get paid enough, or don’t get enough time off, or if there are unfair working conditions, the union can step in. 

My goal for this artwork is to educate people about workers' rights and the union and how workers aren't getting paid enough for the trades they do.