The story of Match Book Art
In August 1996, a promising new artist was sitting on the steps of an art gallery in SoHo on West Broadway in New York City waiting for his friend. The friend was late and the artist was about to do some sketches to pass the time, but there was one little problem, he forgot his sketchbook. So he decided to make a sketch on a match book that he had found in his pocket. That day he started a project called Match Book Art. Success came instantly. One person bought the whole collection of his first sketches on matches. The artist was very excited; he was sketching everywhere: in the coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and on the sidewalks of New York City. When he returned to his studio in Tribeca, he created collages surrounding each of his matchbooks with pieces of fabric and flowers. Then he made a digital copy of those collages, printed them out on different media, and framed them...Quite a simple story. Still a wonder why so many people adore them. Maybe it's because of those pretty flowers or colorful fabrics, or maybe they become fascinated when they realize he draws on actual matchbooks? One lady buying another piece from him, mentioned "it's my 53rd one of yours". The artist asked her why she likes them...she said, " I just like to look at those little faces you draw!" It's difficult to say anything... one thing's for sure, they are quirky, gifty, colorful, kitschy, small, affordable, and some of those little faces are kind of romantic....
PS Over the years some of these matchbook pieces were purchased by certain celebrities, such as: Ed Harris, Alanis Morissette, Tori Spelling, Macaulay Culkin, Marilyn Manson, among others.
