A wicked problem is a social or cultural challenge that is highly complex, interconnected, and inherently difficult (or impossible) to solve. Coined in 1973 by design theorists Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber, the term "wicked" does not mean evil, but rather that the problem resists resolution. Because wicked problems involve competing values, incomplete information, and ever-changing requirements, they cannot be fixed using standard, straightforward methods.
A monstrous problem is an issue characterized by its massive, terrifying scale or its deeply unethical and shocking nature. The term blends the word monster with the adjective suffix -ous, creating a descriptor for a problem that is either grotesquely complex or morally reprehensible.
"There is a radical aspect to this workflow. It is a dystopian evolution of Land Art—or Earthworks. Unlike the monumental interventions championed by Robert Smithson or more ephemeral works made in and with nature formed with ecological intent by Agnes Denes, art made from repurposed plastic will simply never return to the earth. Artists employing plastics are working with an immortal medium, forcing a confrontation with the unwholesome synthetic footprint that this material is leaving behind." Aurora Robson
There will be two editions of the Wicked Monstrous book this year, one that will be affordable, print-on-demand via Lulu, including 130 artists, and the other (more eclusive, edition of 150) including 70 featured artists. The Lulu version will be available for purchase on November 1, 2026. The special edition will be available for preorders starting September 15 in our online store here.
Print-on-demand & online: 130 artists l Special Edition:70 artists (in bold)
Aindreas Scholz, Alanna Baird, Alejandro Duran, Alicia Escott, Amanda Thackray, Andrea Polli, Ann Savageau, Anna Mein, Anne-Katrin Spiess, Annette Nykiel, Ashton Phillips, Barbara Cooper, Barbara Lubliner, Bee (Beverly) Naidus, Belén Millán, Benjamin Von Wong, Beth Bando, Beth Shepherd, Bethany Taylor, Bev J Elgar, Blue McRight, Bryan Northup, Calder Kamin, Carol Sogard, Carolien Adriaansche, Caroline MacMoran, Charity Ridpath, Charlotte Bastian, Christine Mackey, Christy Rupp, Cindy Pease Roe, Clare Thomas, Colette Copeland, Constance Mallinson, Constance Old, Cynthia Minet, David Ellingsen, Dawn Stetzel, Deanna Pindell, Devan Horton, Diedra Krieger, Duke Riley, E Tyler Burton, Elisabeth Condon, Elise Marks Vazelakis, Elizabeth McAlpin, Ellen Driscoll, Emma Akmakdjian, Eurhi Jones, Faith Bebbington, Felipe-Andres Piedra, Francesca Busca, Griffith Aaron Baker, Heather Law, Heidi Dauphin, Hollis Hammonds, Ian Trask, Janine Brown, Jemma Woolmore, Jennifer Kotter, Johanna Törnqvist, John Melvin, Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang, Kalliopi Monoyios, Karen Hackenberg, Kat Kazlauskas, Katharine A. Owens, Kate Dodd, Katharine Harvey, Kathleen King, Kathryn Frund, Katy Rodden Walker, Kelsey Merreck Wagner, Kelly Marie O'Brien, Kim Bernard, Laura Nova, Laurie Riccadonna, Leah Dalton, Leah Mata Fragua, Leticia Bajuyo, Liina Klauss, Luba Zygarewicz, Lynn Cazabon, Margaret Smithers-Crump, Marguerite Perret, Martha Lewis, Megan Wong, Minal Mistry, Moffat Takadiwa, Monique Martin, Natalya Khorover, Nicole Cooper, Nicole Dextras, Nicole Hixon, Niki Lederer, Ogwado Joachim, Pamela Longobardi, Pascale Marthine Tayou, Pauline Galiana, Pierre Leichner, Portia Munson, Posey (Pamela) Moulton, Rebecca McGee Tuck, Reenie Charriere, Riva Weinstein, Robert Lach, Ruth Peche, Ruth Tabancay, Sandra Suubi, Sara Mast, Sarah Knobel, Sarah Umles, Sari Nordman, Sayaka Ganz, Scott Bluedorn, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Shani Nottingham, Steve McPherson, STUDIOKCA, Swapna Namboodiri, Taina Litwak, Tara de la Garza, Toby Zallman, Tom Jones, TOMO, Tracy Penn, Twyla Exner, Virginia Katz, Wiebke Schroeder, Yevgenia Davidoff, Zelda Zinn