The ‘Made in Occupied Japan’ figurines were created for a Western consumer, aimed to be an affordable version of the celebrated European figurines from factories such as Meissen in Germany; a cheap, accessible object meant to stand in for a much more precious one. This bouncing back and forth of Asian made objects designed for a Western audience, mimicking European figurines is exactly the kind of whiplash that fascinates me and serves as inspiration for my work. I am interested in the ricochet between different worlds particularly as it pertains to opulence and taste.

The series Let me introduce you to my friends also addresses my obsessional love of objects considered ugly and/or tacky and my lifelong habit of personifying inanimate objects. During the prolonged COVID lockdown and isolation I thought often of these small treasures surrounding me. It was a joy to personify them and tell myself stories as if I had an army of new friends around me. The porcelain pieces that make up this collection are primarily found vintage figurines collected one by one out in the world. I inappropriately repair/modify broken ones and add in my own miniatures such as small versions of my celadon cinderblocks.