stevenandwilliam-blog

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Overhead Landscape 5,” 2013. It was Saturday night in the seventh grade at the Rollercade and I met a beautiful blonde who gave me her number. It was my first time making a phone call to someone outside of my classmates so naturally I assumed she was my girlfriend. The girls in my class put an end to my fantasy when they rang her up to clarify. (15 ½ x 21 ½ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, pencil, colored pencil, ink, walnut frame.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/stevenandwilliam/p/CY38gtqrD4b/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Purple Maquette,” 2013. I was in the fourth grade and they rolled in the giant metal cart with the television set on top. We were about to watch the launch of the space shuttle Challenger together as a class. It took time to realize that what was unfolding in front of us was a national tragedy. (10 ½ x 10 ½ x 3 inches. Archival board, fiber, metal.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CRBr9dMFfW3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Perspective Landscape 5,” 2013. It was Grandparents Day in grade school and our second cousin Kathleen was a stand in. I felt so cool having someone hip by my side in the classroom; and boy did she look like the youngest grandparent! (15 ½ x 21 ½ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, pencil, ink, walnut frame.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyihPdl_4s/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Purple Mini,” 2013. Our grade school was a long linoleum corridor and Mrs. Doyle’s runway. Her high heels reverberated: left, right, left, right, clack, clack, clack, clack. I was tuned in and so excited to have her as my teacher; but she got pregnant. (3 ¾ x 3 ¾ x 3 ⅛ inches. Archival board, fiber, metal.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CQtFmBxlAJl/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Faith,” 2014. Mary Queen of the Universe was the center of our lives, and the name of our grade school. The network of families and friendships that we forged in those early years persist to this day. (61 ½ x 61 ½ x 12 inches. Archival board, fiber, glass, beads, metal. Made in Collaboration with GlassLab, a Design Program at the Corning Museum of Glass.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CQqPTIRlb5T/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Ice Maker,” 2013. When William was really young he wanted to be an icemaker. He’d pack the freezer with dozens of water-filled Dixie Cups, creating what he saw as a special miracle of nature: ice! (61 ⅛ x 41 x 3 inches. Archival board, fiber, beads, metal.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CP3HFOKlyL0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Ant Epidemic 22,” 2011. Tales from Mom the Lunch Lady: The quality of the government food was actually really good. You’d just pick from their list. Real butter. Rice. Cheese was excellent. Peanut butter. Sometimes fruit. (76 ½ x 99 inches. Archival paper, ink.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPyLu9-lzEt/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Four Square 11,” 2014. Pull Tab Bingo littered the parking lot. Little cards with five peel-aways revealed if you’d won the prize at the school picnic. We were the cleanup crew and our idea of winning was whoever collected the most off the ground. (7 ⅛ x 9 ⅛ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, pencil, ink, fiber, metal, walnut frame.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPvQ0Val1el/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Obstacle Course 11,” 2011. The parking lot was a sheet of ice and when Mrs. Kunzle pulled in she was sliding, sliding, sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiding, safe. Whew! (13 ⅝ x 19 ¾ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, shredded paper, spray paint, glue.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPsgiMBl6zJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Glory and Praise 3,” 2014. Joe was styling at recess in his Jordan’s and his Oakley’s; but we knew he was hurting after the passing of his mother. (11 ½ x 9 ⅛ x 1 ⅞ inches. Archival board and paper, fiber, beads, plastic, ink, paint.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPnmjiiF4W2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Scroll Landscape Blue,” 2012. I started writing poetry in the seventh grade and the tone was really dark. It didn’t quite fit with my upbeat personality and Mrs. Lensmeyer pulled my mom aside in the lunchroom to ask if there was “anything going on at home.” There wasn’t. I was just discovering the possibilities of writing. (13 ⅝ x 19 ¾ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, pencil, colored pencil, ink, walnut frame.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPljN8AlV-b/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Fire Ants 3,” 2014. Christine came to our school in the fourth grade and we promptly got married at recess. I was horrified when she recently told me that she thought it was David she married. I set the record straight. (4 ¾ x 4 ¾ x 6 inches. Archival board, fiber, glass, beads, metal. Made in Collaboration with GlassLab, a Design Program at the Corning Museum of Glass.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPiKlFtFZPk/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Ant Epidemic 20,” 2011. Tales from Mom the Lunch Lady: Huge seller that baked potato bar. Huge! So many toppings to choose from: taco meat, nacho cheese, butter, green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, and REAL bacon bits! (76 ½ x 99 inches. Archival paper, ink.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPfniu-lCm8/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Square Landscape Blue,” 2012. When the boys started talking about sex at school I’d never had any experience. I shied away and quickly fell behind. I was different and terrified of being found out. (13 ⅝ x 19 ¾ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, pencil, colored pencil, ink, walnut frame.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CPc7MoHFpl0/?utm_medium=tumblr

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“Little Luncheonette of Terror,” 2013. William’s debut on the stage was in the eighth grade in “Little Luncheonette of Terror.” The role was originally meant for a woman; but he reimagined it for himself. (11 x 11 x 3 ½ inches. Archival board, fiber, beads, metal.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CNKwpxOlydE/?igshid=p74gm5skqk23

[stevenandwilliam-blog]

“Overhead Landscape 3,” 2013. It was an honor to be chosen to clap the chalk out of the erasers in the parking lot. I’d clap against the building and spell out words, pretend to be a magician disappearing in a cloud of smoke, and inevitably lose the honor when I’d come back in with my navy blue pants covered in chalk. (15 ½ x 21 ½ x 1 ½ inches. Archival paper, pencil, colored pencil, ink, walnut frame.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CNIMnzsFIF4/?igshid=1cb0rb24uim03

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“Ant Epidemic 6,” 2011. Tales from Mom the Lunch Lady: Everyone loved Mrs. Schulte’s homemade pizza. Those days were always a sellout. The line would be out the door! So many sheet pans filled with dough and toppings. She’d also help the eighth graders with their annual pizza sale which brought in the big bucks to fund the graduation dinner and decorations. (76 ½ x 99 inches. Archival paper, ink.) #contemporaryart #laddbrothers https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAZG11l4Ov/?igshid=1besfat3lawir