Herd Mentality  (left) and The Diffusion of Responsibility(above). 2018. houseflies, oil paint, stainless steel, Corian. 

The first brooch is based on the concept of The Diffusion of Responsibility, where Trinidad takes it to a new level. Everyone believes someone else should act. It is where the laid back islander stereotype becomes a disease. People are unhappy with certain things going on but do not want to take a stand because they will be seen as causing drama or fighting for nothing because nothing changes. The flies are covered in gold to show the ridiculous contrast between the belief that things are fine as they are, with the reality that they are a crowd of flies, contributing to nothing but decay. They all face away from the center. 

Herd Mentality is the second brooch in the pair, showing that cycles are allowed to continue and no one wants to stand out for fear of being mocked or ridiculed. Even if better can be done, it is easier to let worse continue. 

Photography by Rob Chron