The Big What If
(tag 710)
2023

Private Collection

Assemblage (28 ¼” x 20 ¼” x 3”)

Artist description:

This artwork can be viewed as a reflection on the fragility of life and the inherent uncertainties that accompany human existence.

“The Big What If” was created using a fragment from an antique foundry mold suggestive of an oviduct, and a metal grate suspended by two eyehooks above an ostrich egg. At the bottom of the artwork is a photograph of a human being hatched from an egg. The photograph is framed using an antique car gas cap that is covered by a fragment from a screen filter.

The suspended metal grate over the fragile ostrich egg represents the delicate balance between strength and fragility in the human experience. This aspect of the artwork symbolizes the constant interplay between vulnerability and resilience in the human experience, illustrating how the two often coexist and influence one another.

Another interpretation of the suspended metal grate considers the ever-present threat of unpredictable events that can impact our lives. The grate’s position above the fragile ostrich egg symbolizes the potential dangers and unforeseen challenges that can arise at any time, reminding viewers of the uncertainties inherent in life.

The screen filter fragment covering the photograph of the human being hatched from an egg can be interpreted as a representation of the desire to safeguard the delicate and fragile aspects of human existence as one navigates the complexities of life. The screen fragment can also be viewed as a metaphor for the filtered perception of reality that humans often experience. This interpretation suggests that our understanding of ourselves and the world around us is not always direct or unobstructed but is instead influenced by various factors that can shape and distort our perceptions.

Publication History:
2023 LGBT Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural GuideDepartment of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. (Full page 68)