Cubist Coffee Service is constructed from the silvery bottoms and shiny inner surfaces of recycled tin cans. The barely perceptible scratches, spots, imperfections and printing on the tin cans subtly highlight the humble origins of this material.

This is in contrast to the precious materials (sterling silver, gold plating and oxidized silver) used to construct the original coffee service.

Attached to the back is a sterling silver easel necessary to prop up the entire facade. The precious material literally plays a supporting role. Finished to look like extruded aluminum, the use of sterling silver is subordinate and invisible from the front. It asks us to question the role of precious materials to establish value.
27” height x 46” width at handle to spout x 10” depth

Private Collection
My work does not seek value in its materials, but asks us to re-evaluate how an object is valued in our material culture. Does value exist by how something is made; by who made it; by what materials are used; or is valued created by marketing and consumption?