Assemblage — Justin Sterling

Semiotic Disobedience and Assemblage

I want to introduce my own architectural forms, existing as simultaneously architectural, sculptural, and even functional. My objects replicate an environment that is a reflection of the city. Reclaimed objects that reference both the domestic and the urban, and the relationship between the two. This work is about the fundamentals and the variations of what an object has the capacity to say in relation to the political body, without leaning into partisanship.

"Silence is golden"
Found steel battering ram, spray paint, gold leaf
7 x 5 x 31in
(2015)

This is a tool for performance. — "Silence is golden" Found steel battering ram, spray paint, gold leaf 7 x 5 x 31in (2015) This is a tool for performance.

"Passtimes"
Found baseball, grenade pin
3 x 3 x 5in
(2014) — "Passtimes" Found baseball, grenade pin 3 x 3 x 5in (2014)

"The American Dream"
found map, baseball, grenade pin, push pin
60 x 2 x 36in
(2019) — "The American Dream" found map, baseball, grenade pin, push pin 60 x 2 x 36in (2019)

“David”
Found child's jacket, found traffic cone
13in x 13in x 29in
(2017)
[This sculpture is the subject of multiple video works, like the image pictured here] — “David” Found child's jacket, found traffic cone 13in x 13in x 29in (2017) [This sculpture is the subject of multiple video works, like the image pictured here]

“David” [Inside Chapel of the Rocks]
Found child's jacket, found traffic cone
13in x 13in x 29in
(2017)
@ San Diego Museum of Art — “David” [Inside Chapel of the Rocks] Found child's jacket, found traffic cone 13in x 13in x 29in (2017) @ San Diego Museum of Art

"Sea of Rust"
found windows, trash bags, found iron window bar, spray paint, caulking
81 x 2 x 38
(2021)
In Collection of Museu Municipal de Tossa de Mar — "Sea of Rust" found windows, trash bags, found iron window bar, spray paint, caulking 81 x 2 x 38 (2021) In Collection of Museu Municipal de Tossa de Mar

“Stuck”
found window, fabricated steel rebar frame 38in x 39 x 36
(2016)
Private Collection — “Stuck” found window, fabricated steel rebar frame 38in x 39 x 36 (2016) Private Collection

“Deposition”
Appropriated gallery ladder, rope, found window, chain, weighted ball
(length variable to space) x 52in x (height variable to ceiling)
(2017) — “Deposition” Appropriated gallery ladder, rope, found window, chain, weighted ball (length variable to space) x 52in x (height variable to ceiling) (2017)

“Deposition” [detail]
Appropriated gallery ladder, rope, found window, chain, weighted ball
(length variable to space) x 52in x (height variable to ceiling)
(2017) — “Deposition” [detail] Appropriated gallery ladder, rope, found window, chain, weighted ball (length variable to space) x 52in x (height variable to ceiling) (2017)

"The Scream"
found sign, plaster, tape, concrete block
24 x 24 x 36in
(2017) — "The Scream" found sign, plaster, tape, concrete block 24 x 24 x 36in (2017)

“The Equalizers”
found NYPD barricade, various woodworking techniques [Chapel Pews for Chapel of the Rocks]
108 x 18 x 30
(2022) — “The Equalizers” found NYPD barricade, various woodworking techniques [Chapel Pews for Chapel of the Rocks] 108 x 18 x 30 (2022)

“Closed Loop” [foreground]
found illegal booted tire, found NYC bike rack circle
40in x 28in x 52in
(2019) — “Closed Loop” [foreground] found illegal booted tire, found NYC bike rack circle 40in x 28in x 52in (2019)

“Closed Loop”
found illegal booted tire, found NYC bike rack circle
40in x 28in x 52in
(2019) — “Closed Loop” found illegal booted tire, found NYC bike rack circle 40in x 28in x 52in (2019)

“Centurion”
found stones, brick, slate, concrete, broom brush
29in x 16 x 42
(2018) — “Centurion” found stones, brick, slate, concrete, broom brush 29in x 16 x 42 (2018)

"The Anatomy of Life and Death"
found paint can, wood, tree stump
(2013)
Private Collection — "The Anatomy of Life and Death" found paint can, wood, tree stump (2013) Private Collection

"100,000 Years"
gasoline can, trash can, wood, sawdust
(2014) — "100,000 Years" gasoline can, trash can, wood, sawdust (2014)

"100,000 Years" [detail]
gasoline can, trash can, wood, sawdust
(2014) — "100,000 Years" [detail] gasoline can, trash can, wood, sawdust (2014)

"Dan"
found window and oil paint
(2015) — "Dan" found window and oil paint (2015)

"The Golden Hour"
Concrete frame, inkjet print, glass, spray paint, rebar
(2015) — "The Golden Hour" Concrete frame, inkjet print, glass, spray paint, rebar (2015)

"A Lack of Attention and Care"
Concrete frames, rebar, spray paint, paper, oil paint, masonite, canvas, wood, enamel, condom, cardboard
(2015) — "A Lack of Attention and Care" Concrete frames, rebar, spray paint, paper, oil paint, masonite, canvas, wood, enamel, condom, cardboard (2015)

Fire Hydrants

Street Signs