The boot…

Servitude of six fusions: Dad’s sacrifice

walnut, brass, titanium screws from human spine, copper, thread

11” x 8” x 13.5”

This began with a phone call. Dad said his work was going to fork the bill for another pair of red wings (his work pays for new ones every two years), and I started to think of his work boots like tires. So, how many “miles” do you get on one pair of work boots? One spinal fusion? Two dislocated shoulders? I created a classic work boot to house the first screws from my Dad’s spinal fusion. The boot would be a reliquary, a sign of servitude, of class, and sacrifice. The boot splays like a spine in six different “vertebras”. Each box holds one screw cradled within a stretcher, for safe keeping, and protection.