Work > War Games

On Hand
Plastic, wood, metal
24" x 12" x 18"
2015
On Hand (installation view 1)
Found object, cast plastic, wood mantle
2015
On Hand (installation view 2)
Found object, cast plastic, wood mantle
2015
Cops and Robbers I-XIV (installation view)
Altered plastic badges, red velvet, display boxes, wood shelves
2019
Cops and Robbers XIV
Altered plastic badge, red velvet, display box
2019
Cops and Robbers XI
Altered plastic badge, red velvet, display box
2019
Cops and Robbers VII
Altered plastic badge, red velvet, display box
2019
Cops and Robbers IV
Altered plastic badge, red velvet, display box
2019
Draw
Plastic, wood, metal
18" x 12" x 8"
2015
Broken Leg
Handcuffs, chain, zinc plated steel, wood table
2019
Clear Security, Safety Orange
Found objects, synthetic hair
2016
Clear Security, Safety Orange (detail)
Found objects, synthetic hair
2016
In the palm of his hand (installation view 1)
Plastic grenade, clay, bronze, glass dome, wood stand
2015
In the palm of his hand (installation view 2)
Plastic grenade, clay, bronze, glass dome, wood stand
2015
In the palm of his hand (detail)
Plastic, wood, metal
6" x 18" x 8"
2015
Made in China
Metal
12" x 12" x 4"
2016
Handcuffs Triptych (Catenary/ Clasp/ Asaraton)
Handcuffs, chain, zinc plated steel, wood shelves
2019
Handcuffs Triptych (detail of Catenary)
Handcuffs, chain, zinc plated steel
2019
Handcuffs Triptych (detail of Clasp)
Handcuffs, zinc plated steel
2019
Handcuffs Triptych (detail of Asaraton)
Handcuffs, zinc plated steel
2019
Dropped Line (installation view)
Found objects, wood, latex paint, telephone desk
2018
Dropped Line
Found objects, wood, latex paint
15in x 28in x 40in
2018
Hold tight
Handcuffs, chain, zinc plated steel, wood table
2019
Bound up
Handcuffs, bandsaw blade, shelves
2019
Bound up (detail)
Handcuffs, bandsaw blade, shelves
2019
Tactical Recoil
Plastic, wood, synthetic hair
24" x 12" x 12"
2016
Tactical Recoil (detail)
Plastic, wood, synthetic hair
2016

War Games uses reimagined children's toys to examine the American fascination with weapons of war. Each piece incorporates toys that allow children to pretend to be soldiers or police officers- both professions that are involved in state sanctioned violence. I began this series after the horrific shooting of 12 year old Tamir Rice, who was killed by police while he played with a toy gun in a public park. This tragedy and the national conversation surrounding it sparked a series of unsettling realizations. While childhood play is seen as a separate, safe space, it is clear that real violence and play violence have begun to overlap and influence one another, creating a murky line between safety and danger. In the United States today, we are witnessing the politicization of play; pretend violence is often regulated very closely, and in many cities, it is more difficult to obtain a toy gun than a real gun. Regardless of where one stands on the second amendment, this startling state of affairs can lead us to the frightening conclusion that make believe can be more dangerous than reality.