These provoking poverty campaigns capture the harsh reality of this universally apparent social issue. The extreme displacement of wealth leads to a number of other issues such as malnourishment, crime and ghettoized cultures.
A number of organizations are fighting to increase awareness and end poverty around the world. It is an issue that many have encountered, but may not be aware of the jarring actuality behind those living on the streets. The top 1% has been heavily criticized for their lavish and extravagant lifestyles. While movements like Occupy Wall Street have stirred up buzz on the issue itself, poverty is often the result of a greater social issue. These photographs and advertisements shed light on the conditions and struggles faced by those living in unfavorable situations.
These examples of provoking poverty campaigns reveal the truth behind one of the world's most common and debilitating issues.
49 Provoking Poverty Campaigns
From Guerilla Socialvertising to Optical Illusion Advertising:
Shiori Mine — Jun 2, 2012 — Social Good
48
Songs to Fight Poverty
Scarlett Johansson & Fergie Sing “In My Name”
47
Gritty Homeless Photography
Lee Jeffries Captures the Dramatic Reality of Aging
46
Humanizing Street Shoots
Alex Welsh Exposes the Struggles of the Impoverished
45
Guerilla Socialvertising
The Alex Seo Crisis Campaign Creates Awareness Through Startling Imagery
44
Optical Illusion Advertising
The Red Cross 'Transparent Billboard' Bears Destruction
43
Homeless Photographers
The Trecho 2.8 Project Turns the Lens onto Another Reality
42
Witty Homeless Signs
Frank Jenkinson Would Really Like to be Cured of 'Invisiblemanitus'
41
Bedouin Pictorials
Christian Vium's 'Nomad_Scapes' Photo Series Captures Mauritania's Desert
40
Sinking Street Ads
The SAMU Social Campaign Brings Awareness to Homelessness
39
Dirty Model Ads
Philippines' Promotion 'Project Runaway' Satirizes 'Project Runway'
38
Playful Street Photography
Andrew Quilty Captures a More Hopeful Side of Life
37
Beggar Hood Ornament Ads
The Bucharest City Police Campaign Pleads 'Don't Encourage Begging'
36
Metacarpal Money
Ervin Esen Shows Us the Misuse of Our Finances
35
Mock Ad Advertising
W Magazine Juxtaposes High Fashion and Homelessness
34
Child Poverty Shockvertising
The Barnardo Campaign Against Child Poverty Raises Eyebrows
33
Guerilla Awareness
Child Poverty Ads in India: Begging Child on Glass
32
Street Life Awareness Campaigns
Jan Moucha's Subversive Homelessness Posters
31
Poverty-Focused Graffiti
Michael Aaron Williams Comments on the Global Homeless Epidemic
30
Activist Street Art
Fauxreel's 'The Unaddressed' Addresses Homelessness in Toronto
29
Hyperreal Homeless Renderings
Denis Peterson Captures the Harsh Reality of the American Dream
28
Guerrilla Poverty Ads
Homeless Father Bob Bins
27
High Volume Charity Ads
The New Actionaid Speakers Campaign Effectively Delivers its Message
26
Homeless Fable Character Ads
The So Acao Solidarity Movement Campaign Encourages Book Donations
25
Homeless Wild Animals
Born Free USA Print Campaign Shines a Light on Destitute Animals
24
Candid City Shoots
The 'Streets Canada' Series by Bartosz Matenko is Unassuming
23
Ads to Question Authority
Metro 'Think for Yourself' Campaign
22
Heartbreaking Homeless Robot Sculptures
'No-Botty' by David Emmite Predicts Bleak Machine Futures
21
Guerrilla Campaign for Homeless
Vitae Shelters
20
Homeless Emotionography
Keith Harris Looks Into the Souls of the Unfortunate in ‘On the Stre
19
Out-of-Reach Awareness Billboards
The Salvation Army 'The Dignity Project' Campaign is Poignant
18
Inkblot Advertising
Rorschach-Inspired Graphics Heighten Social Awareness
17
Homeless Bedtography
Ryann Ford's 'Where the Homeless Sleep' Shoot for Twelve Baskets Magazine
16
Homeless Unicorn Photography
Urban Legends by Jean-Yves Lemoigne Addresses Forgotten People
15
Amplified Heartvertising
These 'Beat Poverty' Ads Penetrate the Heart
14
Graffitisements
Street Art Used in Canadian Youth Services Centre Ads
13
Intergenerational Poverty Ads
Girl Hub in Nigeria Promotes Speech Without Words
12
Concrete Comforter Ads
The Samu Social 2012 Campaign Brings Awareness to Homeless Abuse
11
Canvas Shelter Captures
The Mathieu Young 'Tent City' Project Shows Unusual Living Conditions
10
Hidden Homeless Captures
The Soham Gupta 'People of the Bridge' Series Visits Dark Railroads
9
Foreign Homeless Photomentaries
Christian Burkert Captures Homelessness in an Immaculate Culture
8
Shelterless Light Shows
Fanny Allie Crafts a Lit-Up Silhouette of a Homeless Person Resting
7
Typographic Homeless Ads
The Salvation Army 2012 Campaign Shows What the Unhoused Truly Lack
6
Globetrotting Hobotography
Mike Stewart Photographs the World's Homeless
5
Call-to-Action Celeb Campaigns
The ‘Truth or Dare Live Below the Line' Video Challenge
4
Disturbing Disparity Infographics
The Opportunity Gap Illustrates Racial Differences in the U.S.
3
Unforgettable Poverty Graphics
Living on Less Infographic Details Struggle of Emerging Countries
2
Compassion Through Metaphors
Brazilian Organization Uses Comparisons for the Homeless
1
Pop Icon Poverty Ads
The Feeding America Campaign Tries to Raise Awareness with Actors
Related Ideas
Raw Hipster Photography
Philip Gay Balances Between Posed and Candid Captures
100 Surreal Oversized Installations
These Exhibits are Literally a Big Deal
Inept Superhero Illustrations
Andreas Englund Depicts an Elderly and Feeble City Protector
Peculiar Pairing Portraits
Robert Moses Joyce Photographs Unusual Subjects With Artist Twists
Real-Life Street Kid Portraits
Photographer Adam Taylor Takes Portraits of NYC Street Kids
Flying Baby Photography
Rachel Hulin Mysteriously Captures Little Henry in Mid-Air
Aged Animal Photography
'Elderly Animals' Captures Animals in the Twilight of Their Lives
Honest & Raw Photography
Zak Krevitt is a Self-Taught Photographer Who Exhibits Amazing Talent
Social Media Timelines
The 'Skype a Coming of Age Story' Infographic is Lighthearted & Info-Packed
Adventurous Auto Propaganda Ads
The Land Rover Defender 2012 Campaign is Manly
Softly Raw Photography
Lele Saveri Captures Intimately Candid Images of Different Lifestyles
Watercolor Makeup Ads
The L’Officiel III Beauty Salon Campaign Showcases Streaking Mascara
Strange Street Photography
Dougie Wallace Shoots the Wacky and Wonky on UK Roads
Ray-of-Hope Photography
The Mathieu Young 'Cambodia by Moonlight' Series is Immensely Powerful
30 Microfinance Innovations
From Youth-Oriented Finances to Pay-as-You-Go Energy
App-Obsessed Infographics
The Chillingo Apple App Infographic Tracks Up to 500,000 Apps
32 Social Businesses for Youth
From Hip-Hop Social Enterprises to Education-Giving T-Shirts
Poised Perennial Photography
The Nacho Alegre Collection Captures the Perfect Pose
Depressing Childhood Icons
Benjamin Béchet Imagines Cartoon Characters in Our World
Innocently Intimate Photography
Justin Hollar Captures Candid Shots That are Full of Emotion
Epic Everyday Photography
Todd Cole Photographs Normal Moments With a Subtle Twist
Bunny-Shadow Alcohol Ads
The Hennessy 'What's Your Wild Rabbit' Campaign Urges Never Give Up
Online Ethical Retailers
SERRV Alleviates Poverty by Supporting Artisans from Around the World
Exotic Street Style Spreads
Travel Fabulously with the AvantGarde Magazine July 2011 Editorial
Blue Collar Captures
'Man at Work' by Robin Bini Schneider Shows the Dark Side of Employment
Fantastical Fictional Photography
Philip-Lorca diCorcia is the Father of Staged Photo Shoots
Fished Garbage Ads
The Surfrider Foundation Campaign Promotes Beach Cleanup Days
Premature Attendance Ads
The Durex Coming Early? Campaign is Hilariously Clever
Feather Turbine Ads
The Dow Chemical Company Campaign is Imaginatively Whimsical
Cattle-Cut Art Ads
The Cowparade Santa Catarina Campaign Shows "Art Will Be Everywhere"
Wall Climbing Illustrations
Become Immersed by the Charles Munka for Joyce Exhibition
Sultry Street Photography
These Christopher Bush Photographs are Raw, Emotional and Seductive
Candid Urban Captures
Julian Berman Photographs the Carefree Streets of Los Angeles
Drug-Addled Celeb Ads
The Cocaine Co Campaign Associates Itself with Overdosed Individuals
Sensual Needle Ads
The Nirlife Oneuse Disposable Syringes Campaign Shows Another Cause of HIV
Comic-Inspired Zit Ads
The Clearasil Tough on Pimples Campaign is Youthful and Nostalgic
Cracked Street Art (UPDATE)
OaKoAk Graffiti Artist's Work Interacts With Its Surroundings
Outdone Papercraft Robots (UPDATE)
The 7FT Gundam Blows the 4FT Freedom Gundam Out of the Water
Playful Street Photography
Andrew Quilty Captures a More Hopeful Side of Life
Primping Boomer Photography
Beauty and Wisdom by Robbie Kaye Captures the Age-Old Feminine Ritual
Hilarious Death Charts
The '24 Funniest Ways To Die' Infographic Helps Sell Life Insurance
Office Supply Addiction Ads
The Staples A Workaholic's Weakness Campaign Portrays an Obsession
Insightful Japanese Editorials
The n(n) by NUMBER NINE Spring/Summer 2011 Collection
Desert Adventure Editorials
The June 2011 Jules Mordovets Velvet Spread is Unconventional
Twitterverse Infographics
This Twitter Infographic Gages The Who, Why and How of Twitter
Historical Cookie Ads
The Oreo 100th Birthday Campaign Takes a Poignant Look at the Past
Diagnostic Internet Infographics
Social Media Detox Helps You Recognize When it's Time to Unplug
Intriguing Illuminated Installations
James Nizam Creates Art From Light
Spiritual Street Art
Stephan Doitschinoff's Work Has a Heavy Religious Undertone
Southpaw Statistics
'Facts and Stats About Lefties' is a Rare Infographic
Vibrant Geometric Urban Art
Urban Mural Artist Woozy Creates Astounding Outdoor Murals
Eerie Elderly Photographs
Katy Grannan Shoots Close-Ups of Senior Citizens on the Streets
Geometric Energy Editorials
Phoenix Rising by Annie & Lola Features Cosmic Circles and Nature
Forgotten Americana Photography
Paul Vayanos Captures Landmarks with Cultural Heritage
Printer-Destroying Ads
The 'Brother Make It Stop' Campaign Promotes Great Customer Service
Poverty-Focused Graffiti
Michael Aaron Williams Comments on the Global Homeless Epidemic
Fantastical Concept Sketch Ads
The Orange Apple Creative Imagery Campaign is Imaginatively Fun
Street Art Documentations
JetSet Graffiti Follows the Pro-Graffiti LA Freewalls Projects
Animated Graffiti Ads
The Smart Fortwo A Big Idea Campaign Features Playful Characters
Night Eyes Auto Ads
The Land Rover Defender Campaign Likens the Vehicle to an Animal
Distracting TV Ads
The Gol Television Football Channel Campaign Depicts Oblivious Watchers
Chaotic Hoarding Captures
Jasper White and Gem Fletcher's 'Home from Home' is a Tented Creation
Aged Cartoon Character Ads
The Tounsia TV Campaign Shows That This Network Defies Time
Illuminated Grass Installations
The GS Caltex Pavilion at EXPO 2012 is Dynamically Designed
Deadly Food Ads
The Down to Earth Campaign Urges People to 'Switch to Organic Food While You Can'
Label-Obsessed Infographics
The 'Why People Follow Brands' Chart Explains Marked Fixations
Natural Disaster Audio Ads
The Big Foote Music & Sound Campaign Promotes "Real Sound"
Inverted Landscape Auto Ads
The Mercedes-Benz Airmatic Campaign Drives on Air
Icy Palm Tree Ads
The British Airways Goodbye Winter Sale Campaign Promotes Flight Discounts
Misplaced Object Ads
The Fiat Original Parts Campaign Focuses on the Right Mechanics
3D Ceiling Constellations
The Grotte Stellaire Installation by Julien Salaud is Intricately Lit
High Volume Charity Ads
The New Actionaid Speakers Campaign Effectively Delivers its Message
Anti-Poverty Jewelry
'Me to We Artisans' Empowers Women & Promotes Tribal Style
Living Below the Poverty Line
This Daryl Collins Keynote Discusses Low Income Financial Activity
Social Web Impact Infographics
Is Social Media Ruining Students Answers Some of the Obvious
Beads to Fight Poverty
BeadForLife Sells Fair Trade Jewelry and Shea Butter Made in Uganda
Pensive Personal Portraits
This Series of Kim Thue Images is Raw With Emotion
Pinata-Smashing Sneaker Ads
The 'Energie Nice Kicks' Campaign is Vibrantly Destructive
Monstrous Mom Ads
The Parents Empowered Campaign is Inspired by Retro Horror Movie Posters
Comical Continental Beliefs
The World Map of Useless Stereotypes Shows Absurd Assumptions
Objectified Cinematic Photography
Hisaji Hara's Captures are Inspired by Revered Artist Balthus
Puzzling Pioneer Pictures
Robert and Shana Parkeharrison Take Vintage and Surreal Images
Opportunity-Generating Accessories
'Hands Up Not Handouts' Uses Business for Positive Change
Personified Headlight Captures
Nanan Creates Figures Out of Lamps in His Urban Lights Series
Outdoor Regeneration Campaigns
'Transform Your Patch' from PepsiCo UK & Britvic Helps Communities
Eco Awareness Murals
Recycle for a Better Future Informs UK Kids of the Benefits of Repurposing
Inappropriately Mispronounced Ads
The Cockburn's Port Campaign Pokes Fun at Itself
Mini Wire People
Chris Mason's Social Climbing Series is Inspired by Renaissance Art and Comics
Swirling Soap Bubble Installations
The Nicky Assmann ‘Solace’ Exhibit is Visually Stun
Post-Secondary Stereotypes
The 'A Day In The Life' Infographic Looks at College Major Conventions
Dubious Domestic Photography
Claudia Imbert's 'La Famille Incertaine' Series is Odd and Quiet
Booze-Buying Charts
The Mountain Goat Beer Flowchart Will Help You Decide on a Brewski
Exaggerated Story Ads
The Wrigley Hubba Bubba Campaign Encourages Blowing It Out of Proportion
Trapped Taxidermy Ads
The Coleman Campaign Warns People to Not Get Stuck Indoors
Choco-Bar Juice Boxes
The Cocoa Metro Campaign is Crafty, Creative and Clever
Friend-Filtering Infographics
The Friend Request Pie Chart Portrays Hilarious Facebook Truths
Grungy Street Captures
Richard Marshall's ‘San Francisco' Has a Poetic Tone
Popstar Apocalyptic Armor
The Ian Finch-Field Steampunk Robot Arm is Justin Bieber Approved
Belly Speech Bubble Ads
The Companhia Athletica No Fat Excuses Campaign Promotes Proactiveness
Delicious Dictator Ads
The Amnesty International Campaign Cuts Away at Oppression
Adventurous Alcohol Ads
The Canadian Hunter Whisky Campaign is Made for Burly Men
Lunar-Lugging Photography
Moon Walk by Ting Cheng is Astronomically Abnormal
Poverty-Conscious Quilts
Kathryn Clark Creates an Artistic Display of Foreclosures With Blankets
Fading Youth Ads
The Prince's Trust Campaign Helps Young Adults Get Jobs and Training
Chic Robotic Ads
The Versace For H & M Commercial is Perplexingly Posh
Psychotic Charity Ads
Kate Moss & Misery Bear Team Up for Red Nose Day
Stencil Art Contests
Show Your Talent at the Blek le Rat HUGO Man Competition
Car Grill Prison Ads
The Jeep Capture the Wild Campaign is Imaginatively Adventurous
Expressive Skeletal Hand Exhibits
Hye Yeon Nam Creates a Highly Interactive Robotic Installation
Upcycling to Fight Poverty
The 'Recycle Not a Waste Initiative' Empowers Ghanian Street Youth
Desolate Landscape Photography
The Minus by Akos Major Photo Series is Magical and Poetic
Strange Slumber Situations
The 'I Slept Through What' Blog Captures Bizarre Snoozing
Electrifying Neon Cars
The Blair Thurman Supermodels Installation Lights up the Room
Amusing Social Media Allotments
The 'Every Blog That Exists' Infographic is Hilariously Accurate
Worrisome Medical Infographics
'Healthcare Associated Infections' Reveals Some Shocking Statistics
Revealing Undergarment Infographics
The History of the Thong Informs You the History of Undies
Economic Empowerment of Women
Pamela Taylor Shares the Importance of Safety & Security For Females
Politically Indifferent Elderly
E.a Kennedy's 'The Domino Theory' Captures Cuban Seniors
Capacity-Building Artisan Groups
The Nest Maiyet Partnership Creates Positive Impact (UPDATE)
Online Marketplaces for Good
KarmaGoat is Like Craigslist But Proceeds Go to Charity
Affordable Experience Ads
The Ftuan Pay Less For More Campaign Makes Bad Scenarios Good
Alleyway Attack Ads
The World Asthma Foundation Campaign Shows That the Disease Can Hit Anytime
Gambling Moments Ads
The Quebec Health Ministry Campaign Forces Bettors to Re-Prioritize Lives
Combating Computer Infographics
Mac vs PC Chart Analyzes the Differences Between Users
Intergenerational Poverty Ads
Girl Hub in Nigeria Promotes Speech Without Words
Realistic Projected-Face Robots
The ‘Mask-bot' Uses 2D Photos to Create 3D Facial Expr
High-Quality Low-Income Housing
The Fez Ta Pronto Construction System Builds Foundations
Early Retirement Ads
The SA Lotteries X Lotto Campaign Focuses on an Easy Life
Greener Charcoal
Bamboo Lota is a Sustainable Company Fighting Deforestation in Malawi
Blind-Assisting Robots
Robotic Guide Dog is a Groundbreaking Creation for the Seeing Impaired
Robotic Walking Aids
Toyota Health Robots Help the Eldery and the Incapacitated Move Easily
Geriatric Gaming Treatments
Neuroscientist Stuart Smith Finds Medical Potential in Video Games
Ball-Launching Robots
The iFling May One Day Play Fetch with Your Dog
Inebriating Narrative Timelines
Aras Kanani Depicts to Transition From Sober to Drunk With Humor
Poverty-Ending Crusades
The Adventure Project Aims to Eliminate Struggles and Misery
Trees to End Poverty
Carbon Offsetting With COTAP.org Tackles Social and Environmental Issues
Robotic Bumper Cars
The Bionic Bopper Car Lets Users Duke it Out Safely
Social Entrepreneur-Supporting Charities
UnLtd Fosters People with a Will to Change the World