Where Your $$ Goes

Artist: Helen Bascom
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Where Your $$ Goes

THIS IS WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES WHEN YOU BUY A CONFLICT DIAMOND

No person was harmed in the making of this image. However, millions have suffered because of this gem. Please, go HERE to learn more. Spread the word.

Blood Diamonds
Blood Diamonds are gems, mined with great loss
Losing their beauty, for the deaths that they cause
A murky violent business, by the rulers of the day
Violating anyone, who dares get in their way

Dying for diamonds, a powerful message to send
Whatever you try, greed always wins in the end
With the eyes of the World upon them, maybe they may see
Its time to stop this violence and set their people free

©Alex Oliver 2007

Imagine this man walking into your house with a machete and hacking off your hand, or the hand of your child.

Make A Donation To Stop Blood Diamonds

RichardV, 11 months ago

Hi Helen.
A very powerful image. Dark and noody, with a lot of meaning.

Great work.
RichardV, 11 months ago

Meant to say ‘MOODY’
Birgitta, 11 months ago

WOW. You are a one woman army! Your mission is strong.
I like that! I’m being educated by your work about these blood diamonds..
I’ve never known much about them. Powerful work. Powerful message.
Thanks for sharing it!
Zigga, 11 months ago

Brilliant Helen. Very powerful imagery!!
Carmen Cilliers, 11 months ago

Hi Helen, you would find the movie Blood Diamond v. interesting if you haven’t already seen it.
Helen Bascom, 11 months ago

I have not seen it, nor will I see it. The reality of a blood diamond is far more horrific than Brad Pitt.
Irene Burdell, 11 months ago

An extremely powerful message. I have never heard about these diamomds before.
Carmen Cilliers, 11 months ago

Helen, I did not mean to offend. However, coming from Africa, and being against this industry myself I feel this movie is extremely poignant with a very powerful message which reaches the masses. Also, I don’t recall Brad Pitt being in this film.
Carmen Cilliers, 11 months ago

(And by the way, if you only lost your hand you’d be lucky – it’s a lot worse, trust me.)
Helen Bascom, 11 months ago

Ah yes, it was Dicaprio. Sorry.
Linda Syms, 11 months ago

Its a very moving story of which we are all guilty of.
Adriana Glackin, 11 months ago

You’ve created a powerful image Helen, and a message certainly worth spreading.
Carmen Cilliers, 11 months ago

I agree, you are successfully spreading the word, where there is poverty there is cruely and greed and more people need to be aware. But then hey, same goes for Fire crackers and the small kids getting their faces blown of in South American jungles while trying to make a pittance. We should all think more about what is behind the ‘beauty’ we desire, often the object is infact very ugly! Keep it up Helen.
Helen Bascom, 11 months ago

Oh I intend to be relentless. I want every one to become ashamed to wear a diamond. Drive down their value, and make it less profitable for the butchers that use the income to fund their war and mutilations.
Carmen Cilliers, 11 months ago

Just remember, not ALL diamonds are coming from the same market. That is why it is important to find out the origins. There are diamonds being mined in mines in South Africa where workers are working for honest wages in good circumstances. To tarnish the whole industry as corrupt is not fair either. Like with anything one needs to look into the where’s and how’s.
Helen Bascom, 11 months ago

You are right about that, but diamonds are not rare, and the price is artificially inflated. However, in the United States a buyer can request certification that the gem is “conflict free.”

I have never seen an advertisement on U.S. television or in print that conflict free gems are available. Maybe I don’t watch enough television though. If someone knows of a jeweler that offers such wares, I would like to know.
Carmen Cilliers, 11 months ago

That’s our problem Helen, who do we trust, and what person, earning a huge wad of cash is going to disclose the diamong is ‘blood’ if it compromises their lifestyle. I don’t have diamonds, but I admire them. I have to confess, when looking in jewellery shop windows the point of contention we are discussing is no where near my mind. Maybe conversations, artwork like this and movies like Blood Diamond will help those being exploited in this evil trade and create a demand for jewellers and suppliers to be answerable for the location and history of the diamond before being marketed.
Helen Bascom, 11 months ago

Yes, diamonds are beautiful. That has always been their allure. I do not own a diamond and never will. I prefer amethyst, my birthstone.

I hope the diamond industry goes the way of the fur industry myself. Very, very few people are crazy enough to wear real fur nowadays. Perhaps zircons are the new diamonds?
imageworld, 11 months ago

powerfully provocative portait, well composed
shayne2011, 11 months ago

for me, I wouldn’t know a diamond from a piece of glass. I must be a pleb. but I think it is not difficult to live your life and cause little harm to all things that breathe with which we share this planet. the first step is gaining the awareness. we have a responsibility to be aware of the consequences of those things we choose to consume. so my admiration goes out to you helen, for your important role in that process, and for the courage it would have taken to put together what must have been a very confronting and challenging image, and series.
Helen Bascom, 11 months ago

Thank you for your comment Shayne. It was a difficult series. It’s not easy to portray a dismembered baby arm in a way that shocks but still draws attention to the real issue. People MUST become aware of the appalling way human beings treat one another. This is just one horrible example of what evil sons of bitches people can be.
Tammy Soulliere, 11 months ago

OMG this is kick ass!! great job!!
Dale Wilhelm, 11 months ago

Helen, this is a powerful and stunning work and the sad thing an all too true immage threw out the world. This is a very emotional work, you did an excellent job.
Lindsay Blamey, 11 months ago

WOW – you have some great effects happening here.. Loveing your recent work.
wellman, 11 months ago

A very important message illustrated with an amazing piece of art – well done
Catherine Crim..., 11 months ago

this is fantastic….. such a strong message girl…..
and boyyyyyy… wow
petelangman, 11 months ago

again helen…well done. really lovin your work.
Helene Kippert, 11 months ago

You have a gift for translating important issues into haunting visual images Helen – great work!
Rusty Woodward..., 11 months ago

A powerful and provocative image Helen! .
Tiffany Dryburgh, 11 months ago

You really are doing some very powerful work lately, Helen. This is another strong addition to the cause!
daniels, 11 months ago

great composition, another strong image. db
SnapHappy, 11 months ago

well done again Helen and bravo to your models!
Beatriz R. Ald..., 11 months ago

Very powerful message. Excellent work!
kaylarenee, 11 months ago

this does say power, i love the title and the hands in the sun shades!
hallucingenic, 11 months ago

very nice job
nikspix, 11 months ago

Ohhhhh Helen. Wow!! You really know how to evoke emotions in your art- this one makes me angry and sad . . . and reaffirms my aversion to the diamond trade. Awesome stuff!
Joyce Dickens,..., 11 months ago

Powerful and awakening!
clau, 11 months ago

You are very talented…powerful message!!!
Anita Donohoe, 11 months ago

Powerful message, dramatic and haunting.
Discovery Times aired a series called Diamond Road which revealed the horrific practices of diamond mining. Included were images of men, women and children missing limbs, brutally chopped off by those controlling the diamond mines.
It would be a good thing if businesses advertised that they sell Conflict Free Diamonds!
BySilent, 11 months ago

Stunning in its starkness of what is going on in Africa.
Hoffard, 11 months ago

Wow this photo is a true wake up call… Well done Helen!!!
martym, 11 months ago

fantastic
Sean Farragher, 11 months ago

awesome work
Suzanne German, 11 months ago

Helen – as you know this is truly deeply moving and horrific! I cried and cried after I saw the shot you did with the african boy with his hands chopped off…and my heart bled a little for hm that day(no a lot).....and all I can say is EVERYBODY TAKE HEED!!! LISTEN TO WHAT THIS WOMAN IS SAYING – SHE MAKES GOOD SENSE!

And…I hope too that diamonds will become like fur and that everybody will realise the price has a hidden agenda! Tonnes and tonnes of coffee is thrown into the sea each year in Brazil (depriving people who grow it of profit) simply to get rid of the surplus so that they can keep the artificial prices inflated! ....Nice world we got going here!

Thanks for all your consciousness -raising work Helen – You Rock Babe!!!

Suzannex
John Douglas, 11 months ago

strong work helen – am glad to have found you on here and always love seeing what you’ve come up with next. I admire your stance on these issues.
paul romanowski, 11 months ago

GOOD ADD…........ART….LOVE IT…

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

PAUL ROMANOWSKI

PS:
IF YOU WANT TO DO THE SAME JUST VISIT THIS
Tom Godfrey, 11 months ago

Again, close to my heart, having lived in the land called Rhodesia now known as Zimbabwe Ruins :) Powerful image Helen
Gracey, 11 months ago

That’s one picture that says more than words.
Susan Grissom, 11 months ago

Helen!!!! Incredible work here. This is so powerful, I am at a loss for words….....
papam, 11 months ago

It is very strong composition!
Biswajit Pandey, 11 months ago

Striking and meaningful image.
Dakolina, 11 months ago

powerful, and one that could easily send you to a state of Despair
Kaitlyn Squires, 10 months ago

this is so powerful, great awareness
Jamie Lee, 10 months ago

WoW, very powerful image, well done
Melissa Vowell, 10 months ago

love your work here Helen. Wonder why the hell I didn’t look sooner. Thanks for the slap in the face
Carmen Cilliers, 10 months ago

Hi Helen, I just wanted to check in on this image and see what other responses you have had. I am so glad it’s message is getting across. Can I ask you to please start on the anti-whaling next because we need some help in this dept. Seriously! Actually I will bubblemail you with a list of requests (I can’t paint the messages the way you seem to capture them.) Well done you are doing a wonderful job.
Deri Dority, 10 months ago

Wow, this is one powerful image!!!! Brilliantly done! A very powerful message as well. This series would make a great exhibition somewhere!!!
BarryKing, 10 months ago

Hi Helen….this is such a strong and powerful portrait/image.
It speaks volumes.
I’m proud to have you as a friend…someone that speaks up for the injustices in this world and isn’t afraid to say exactly what they feel.

Well done
Wegwoman, 10 months ago

Powerful message!
aelend, 10 months ago

frightening concecpt and well conceived. great representation of the violence and terror.
dwright, 10 months ago

stunning and powerful, well done!
Christine King, 10 months ago

Very powerful.
thrumyeyes, 10 months ago

Helen again I just have to say excellent…..
Mohsen Bayramn..., 10 months ago

Moody, Emotive and fully Creative indeed.
Take care of yourself!
CowGirlZen, 10 months ago

brillant
martin venit, 10 months ago

OK. NOW YOU REALLY HAVE TAKEN YOUR ART , IN MY MOST HUMBLE OPINION, TO A LEVEL THAT SO POWERFUL, THOUGHT PROVOLKING, THAT IT REALLY IS A HONOR TO BE A FRIEND. THIS NEEDS, NEEDS TO BE SEEN HELEN.
I HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THIS, AND I AM NOT EVEN PLAYIN’. THAT CHILD, PLEADING FOR HELP, BUT WITH HOPE AS WELL.
Dave Aarons, 10 months ago

Excellent, very powerful
VisionaryImagist, 10 months ago

Helen: Wonderful exposition. Great text and image.
Helen Bascom, 10 months ago

Thank you to everyone who has commented and favorited this work. Please take note of the links to learn more and give to help make a difference.
Amagoia Akarregi, 10 months ago

uauuu fantastic
Julie Langford, 10 months ago

Another powerful shot – full of impact – Well done Helen
PHILLIPEDOAN, 10 months ago

Hello Helen: This image is very powerful. The blood and the diamonds reflected in his shades: POWERFUL.
maxi, 10 months ago

Helen your passion is infectious, the world needs more people like you. God bless you.
shawhouse, 9 months ago

brilliant image. love the message.
Colin Tobin, 9 months ago

Brilliant and powerful work!
Von McKnelly, 9 months ago

I like to see pretty pics of pretty women but I love to see pics of political importance.
You rock!
Nuh Sarche, 7 months ago

thats why I don’t posess diamonds and I never will!

great work!!!!!!!!!!
Mia1, 7 months ago

What a powerful image. Fantastic.
ltruskett, 7 months ago

Powerful and emotive. You go girl.
MuscularTeeth, 7 months ago

but i LIKE keeping 90% of the population opressed and downtrodden..
:(
your no fun helen.
Paul Scarsella, 7 months ago

great shot and message!
Larry149, 7 months ago

Great image to get the message across – good on you!
Peter Evans, 5 months ago

An extraordinary powerful image Helen.
It made me remember and cry.
If I was handing out Pulitzer Awards…...this would get one!!!!!!!!!!
Helen Bascom in reply to Peter Evans’s comment, 5 months ago

That is a humbling comment. Thank you.
Peter Evans, 5 months ago

Thank YOU
Kathryn Potempski, 5 months ago

congrats on the Home Page,wonderful comp and Techs, well done Helen scares the sh-t out of me
Lumineux, 5 months ago

Who’s on fire this week! Congrats Helen. Powerful statement piece with that unmistakable HBascom flavour.
Moshe Cohen, 5 months ago

Very powerful image Helen.
Leslie Hagen, 5 months ago

Incredible, amazing, brilliant, horrifying, what a nightmare image this photo evokes. Well done!
debteraI, 5 months ago

Yeah that’s the type of art I’m talking bout, with the power to grab you and make you rethink your actions and correct them. Righteous.
Neil Johnson, 5 months ago

Really really great concept and image! Very powerful message.
Tara Sheffer-A..., 5 months ago

Hey, This is a Truth not often mentioned these days! I love your image and photo, I also watched the movie about this and was amazed, Great work and Great Message!!!
Mariam Muradian, 5 months ago

A strong hitting image, horrifying to the core really, Helen!
Very powerful in its message and delivery!
I am always so amazed by you, Helen. And it is not so much in “a cursing the darkness” way, rather how you are that one light in the darkness, Helen. Your faith and hope and the way you raise your children each day….that is powerful!
Rice or diamonds? C’mon. Shouldn’t even BE a question, should it? Give ‘em hell, Helen!
I love you, Helen.
Mariam Muradian, 5 months ago

AND Congratulations on the Homepage spot!!!!
Von McKnelly, 2 months ago

Brilliant…a real punch in the face image! Kudos!!