This piece cuts straight through the lies that Big Tobacco fed America in the 1950s, using their own advertising weapons against them. The broken cigarette at the center isn't subtle—it's the perfect symbol for how those "doctor recommended" health claims were always destined to crumble. I've surrounded it with a purple-washed collage of actual Camel advertisements from the era, the same ads that convinced millions of Americans that smoking was not just safe but actually good for their health. The halftone effects and layered typography aren't just aesthetic choices—they mirror the mass media techniques that tobacco companies used to manipulate public perception. Those same printing methods that made cigarette ads look authoritative and scientific are now exposing the fraud. The piece works as both historical documentation and contemporary warning, showing how corporate messaging can dress up deadly products as lifestyle choices. It's a reminder that the smooth graphics and medical endorsements were always just sophisticated lies, and sometimes you need to break those lies apart to see the truth underneath.

Exact Dimensions (ex. 10.5" x 8.25" x 2")

30" X 30" X 2.5" I also offer custom sizes, framing and substrates! Contact Laurie at the gallery for more info.

Year Created

2022

Materials

Fine Art Canvas Wraps are printed directly onto museum quality canvas material using high-quality archival inks. Glossy Laminate is applied to each piece to protect the surface of the print. The print is then wrapped around an artist's stretcher frame.

Name Of Artist (So You Are Searchable!)

TB Murphy