The works featured here are composed from the debris off the sidewalks of Canal Street in Chinatown, New York where the counterfeit designer market thrives off bargain seeking tourists. The collecting took place between September 2007 and February 2010. All branded items should be presumed as fake. My initial interest was merely the individual watch links I saw lying on the ground. I then began compulsively picking up Coach, Louis Vuitton, keys from the suitcases vendors use, and most anything else shiny off of the dirty sidewalks. I would often pry objects out of the dirty crevices with my keys or a small screwdriver. I had a wallet I put them in. I would empty my wallet weekly store my treasures in zip lock bags, engraving the date found when possible. Later I would sort common items and look for patterns. Alteration of the object was often necessary. Objects often took a level of alteration and I approached this much like a jeweler. The vast majority of this work is held together with physical connections such as wire, thread, or tension fitting.
The Watcher
The Watcher (diagram)
The Watcher (detail)
The Watcher (detail)
The Watcher (detail)
The Watcher (detail)
The Watcher
10”x 4” x 4”
Mixed altered objects from Canal Street, nail paint
2017, 2023
Coco Chanel Button Earring (detail)
Dolce & Gabbana Monocle (detail)
Dolce & Gabbana Monocle
Coco Chanel Button Earring
Coco Chanel Button Earring
Wire, Thread, Fake
Chanel branded objects from Canal Street
17” x 3.5” x 2.5”
2014
Dolce & Gabbana Monocle
Fake Dolce & Gabbana branded objects from Canal Street
18” x 5.5” x 4”
2014
Black Label
Black Label
Black Label
12" x 21.5" x 3"
Found Handbag Hardware, Cast black acrylic paint, Steel mesh, & steel
2012
Nice Handbag
Nice Handbag (open)
Nice Handbag
Cast & Fabricated Acrylic Paint Sheets, & thread
12” x 5” x 8”
2013
Louis, Louis, Louis
Louis, Louis, Louis (open)
Louis, Louis, Louis (back)
Louis, Louis, Louis
Louis, Louis, Louis
9” x 9” x 7”
Handbag hardware, tags, found package, brass, steel, nickel, & fine silver
2012
Objects are conterfeit Louis Vuitton items including the box. Tags organized in order of date found. This work is completed with purse closure.
The Keys to My Hearts (collage & sculpture)
The Keys to My Hearts (collage)
The Keys to My Hearts (collage)
The Keys to My Hearts
The Keys to My Hearts
The Keys to My Hearts
Found objects & stainless steel wire
7" x 5.5" x .5"
2010
Objects are suitcase and decorative keys and decorative hearts. Undated chain links are found individually and then assembled to create chain.
Have Coach, Will Travel (detail)
Have Coach, Will Travel (colage)
Have Coach, Will Travel (collage & sculpture)
Have Coach, Will Travel
Have Coach, Will Travel
Found Objects & Stainless Steel Wire
17" x 10.5" x .25"
2010Objects are counterfeit "Coach" handbag tags & logo items with ball chain segments.
The Virgin Praying to the Gods for Guidance on Fashion
The Virgin Praying to the Gods for Guidance on Fashion
The Virgin Praying to the Gods for Guidance on Fashion
8" x 5" x 2.25"
Found Objects, wire, pencil on board
On the right side of the altered hoop earring hangs a Virgin of Guadeloupe charm. She is facing a pave cross with a pave tearddrop shape. The "floor" of the shrine made of 2 Italian handbag parts, Gucci (unseen in image) and Prada.
Jesus with Dolphins & Disco Balls
Jesus with Dolphins & Disco Balls
Jesus with Dolphins & Disco Balls
8" x 5" x 2.5"
Found Objects, wire, pencil on board
2009
Jesus is from a roseary necklace, all other parts from an earring whose frame has been altered. Overall display is 8" x 5" x 1" similar to "The virgin praying.."
Watches, Watches
Watches, Watches (detail front)
Watches, Watches (detail back)
Watches, Watches
Found objects & stainless steel wire
63" x 26" X .5"
2010
Over 1500 watch links collected in collected between September 2007 and February 2010. Organized, altered if needed to fit together by month left to right.