Stuff For Sale 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
32" x 43"
In 2008 while I was selling a few items in the street in New York's East Village. A woman noticed my display and took a picture of it saying it would make a good subject for a painting. Realizing that she was right I was inspired to do it myself so I photographed the display and did this painting from the photo.
I was selling a clown mask and clown shoes, that had been part of a performance art / burlesque act I had done, plus a small brass padlock. These three items were lying on a sheet of poster board on which I wrote "Stuff For Sale" with a black marker.
This trio of items struck me as a poignant allegory of what I believe is the essential absurdity of the artist's life and the romantic leap of faith which characterizes it as a career choice. It's lack of financial viability was starkly illustrated by the very fact of me having this yard sale. The clown suit represents the showmanship required in self promotion and it was also the way I felt standing there. The lock and key symbolizes the unlikely means by which the door to fulfillment and beauty can be unlocked.
This man bought the clown suit from me for $10
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