I think that the artist got it spot on.

This is man at his most basic:

Trapped in the eternal tunnel,

 

With no beginning, no end, no escape,

Vulnerable like never before.

The place is a shelter, of course,

 

But could easily be a slaughterhouse,

Fried in fat if the walls don’t hold.

Try to imagine the pitch dark.

 

Just how has humanity come to this?

Cowering, dignity on trial.

Most come through it, hold their heads up,

 

But they shouldn’t have to, for goodness sake,

Play these drab, unprotected shapes,

While up top says who lives or dies.