About the work

Commentary on the state of the world–and, apparently, on the state of healthcare–this 1996 work remains as cutting today as it did a quarter century ago.

“Cripples Discussing Cosmic Downsizing” was released as a black and white print in an edition of ten. An additional 24 prints were pulled and Wiley then hand-colored each of them, inscribing each with individual titles. This work is the eleventh of the 24, which Wiley titled, “Cripples After Bruegel Discuss the Universe, Cosmic Downsizing or Healthcare”. Inspired by Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s 1568 painting of “The Cripples”. One of the black and white prints and one of the colored prints are held by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Custom framed using strictly conservation-grade materials in a splined Maple frame behind 99% UV-blocking Plexiglas. The work is laid down using corner mounts made of the same paper on which the print was made. Bearing the Crown Point Press gallery label verso.