Dalton Jefferson “1% Chance” – 2026 Finalist

Dalton Jefferson – “1% Chance”

Bloomington, IN

Division II: 19–22 Years Old

Collaged National Geographics and glue on masonite

This mosaic serves as a commentary on the abuse of power by the wealthiest class, set against the backdrop of the working class laboring within their factories. The luxury yacht industry alone consumes billions of gallons of fuel each year so that only a tiny fraction of people can indulge in excess. In this work, the myth of the Kraken emerges as a force capable of stopping the yacht, symbolizing how collective belief and shared narratives can challenge inequality and the reckless destruction of Earth’s limited resources. Just as myths are created, spread, and believed, so too can power structures be questioned and reshaped. Through this shift, there is hope that both humanity and the planet can be preserved.

The mosaic measures 6 feet by 4 feet, a deliberately grand scale meant to feel excessive and overwhelming, much like the yacht it depicts. The abundance of individual pieces mirrors the excess of luxury itself. Both the mosaic and the yacht share this sense of monumental grandeur, which ultimately conceals a harsher truth: resources are permanently destroyed so that fleeting pleasure can be enjoyed.