2023

Steel

20 x 16 x 68 inches

This piece is a metal sculpture of a male torso posed in a bowed position and etched with Yakuza tattoos. The Yakuza is a Japanese crime syndicate that is known for its elaborate body art as a way to identify its members. Through the use of metal, a cold and hard media, the intricate etched designs, and the submissive bowing pose, this sculpture captures the discrimination and isolation that those with tattoos feel in Japanese society, as body art is seen as a representation of complete commitment to their criminal lifestyle.

This piece portrays the duality between something so traditional, beautiful, and respected as these tattoos being deeply attached to something so cruel, vile, and violent as the criminal underworld.