"Untitled (trophy bottles)" 1997
Glass bottles, silk and rayon ties, metal, chrome
12" x 4" each, overall dimensions variable

Untitled (trophy bottles) is part of a series of works made with men's business clothing that was exhibited in 1998 at Haines Gallery, San Francisco. What seems at first exercises in the aesthetics of the men's clothing textiles, are projects that explore the concepts of male identity, conformity and individuality.

In the business world the primary emphasis seems to be on "winning." Winning might be defined as gaining a large market share, a high stock price, or on amassing money and capital. To attain that, a team effort is required. How do these goals compete with the need for self-expression of the individuals who work in that world? In the corporate world, the drive toward personal expression can only be manifested in certain articles of clothing, such as ties. These bottle sculptures explore the natural human urge to express individuality even in the face of very competitive and confining circumstances.