TOOLS and OBJECTS
TOOLS
(1997-ONGOING)
Tools in Brucker’s work are objects designed for a metaphorical task. Artworks designed as perceptual devices are created as a way to gain insight; other pieces suggest the tool would be used to prompt creativity or growth. Photo credits: Tools and Objects photos are by Brian Forrest.
Ghost Series; Tools for Digging: Spoon-Saw, 1995 saw handle, wooden spoon, branch 14 x 24 x .75"
Out of the Corner of My Eye, 1997 wooden cigar box, glass prisms, stand 5 x 7 x 5"
Crutch Eyes, 1997 wooden crutch handle, lenses 2 x 9 x 3"
Perceptual Tools; Desert Views 1997-2002 binocular parts, photos, stove covers 7 x 6 x 6"
Double Vision, 1997 photographs of Kansas City twins, binocular rims 4 x 4 x 0.5"
Magnetic Attraction, 1997 compass, magnet, needles, photographs 4 x 6 x 3"
CARROT STICKS
(2001-2005)
This particular group of tools were made from garden grown carrots cast in bronze by burning out the vegetable rather than using the traditional lost wax technique. These carrot “sticks” became humorous, although not completely nonfunctional “weapons” when inserted into her grandfather’s tool handles.
Carrot Sticks, 2001-2005 cast bronze carrots antique tool handles 6 x 0.5" to 12 x 1.5"
OBJECTS
(1996-ONGOING)
These objects are the result of reflection on the physical traits, skills, and aptitudes passed on to us by previous generations. The scraps of fabric, coupons, doilies, and cosmetics are heirlooms from Brucker’s grandmother. In these pieces she explores femininity by finding beauty in decoration and by constructing tributes to personal habits and rituals.
Building Book, 2002, fishing line, pearls, book 6 x 8.5 x 6”
Night Caps, 1997 hand-stitched, antique hat liners, safety pins 8 x 13 x 2"
Domestic Tools: Hold Your Tongue, 1996 shoe shapers, leather shoe tongue 13 x 5 x 1.5"
Domestic Tools: Shoehorn, 1996 darning ball, shoehorn 8 x 3.5 x 6"
Empty Nest, 1997 ornamental bird nest, clothespin, rake tines 8 x 9.5 x 9"
Sable Fable, 1997 antique shaving box, fur bronze key, photograph 4 x 6 x 3.5"
Grandfather Clause, 1997 antique shaving tin, bronze condoms, photographs 4 x 5 x 2.5"
Constellations, 2002 velvet boards, pearls, thread 11 x 24 x 7”
Domestic Tools, 1994, Grandmother’s lipstick cases, kitchen tools 1 x 7 x 4.5”
Spiritual Medicine, 1999, gelatin capsules, acetate, words, jar, glass base 7 x 3 x 3”
Spiritual Medicine, 1999, gelatin capsules, acetate, words 7 x 18 x 3”
Spiritual Medicine, 1999, gelatin capsules, acetate, words, jar, leather base 5 x 18 x 3”
Spiritual Medicine (detail), 1999, gelatin capsules, acetate, words, jar, leather base 5 x 3 x 3”
Pearl Drops, 1999, eye droppers, pearls, stand 4.5 x 2 x 2.5”
Brush with Danger, 1997, Grandfather’s shoe brush, brass peep holes, glass, photograph 2.5 x 8 x 7.5”
Golden Saw, 1996, the artist's grandfather’s saw, goldleaf preserved by the artist's grandmother, stand 8 x 30 x 3"
MIRRORS
In 2005 Brucker’s mother was diagnosed with a disfiguring form of cancer. To honor her life history (rather than her changing looks) Brucker created a set of hand-mirrors replacing the looking-glass with polished wood that showed the age of the tree through its notated rings, burls and marks. Ten years before, Brucker had created another pair of mirrors. These reflected her own image questioning her experiences of faith and femininity using “maid-en” and “Made-in” as words that are magnified. Other artworks use the mirror as metaphor and represent Brucker’s continuing interest in reflecting on memory and mortality. In a piece for Edward M Kennedy Institute, viewers were permitted to hold hand-mirrors with etched sayings by lifting them from their stands in the gallery installation. In Persistence of Memory (Spiritual Furniture), viewers enter a hallway where the mirror and the reflections it holds seem to be melting.
Persistence of Memory, 2010 mirror, cast sterling silver 24 x 45 x 1"
Persistence of Memory, 2010 mirror, cast sterling silver 24 x 45 x 1"
Detail: Persistence of Memory, 2010 mirror, cast sterling silver 24 x 45 x 1"
Maiden Mirrors, 1996 magnifying mirrors, engraved aluminum 13 x 13 x 3"
Memory Mirrors, 2005 rare woods, antique silver hand mirrors 0.5 x 14 x 14"
Detail: Memory Mirrors, 2005 rare woods, antique silver hand mirrors 0.5 x 14 x 14"
Detail: Skin and Hair (open), 2010-11 snakeskin and leather compacts hair, engraved glass 0.5 x 11 x 5.5"
Skin and Hair (open), 2010-11 snakeskin and leather compacts hair, engraved glass 0.5 x 11 x 5.5"
Skin and Hair (closed), 2010-11 snakeskin and leather compacts hair, engraved glass 0.5 x 11 x 5.5"
MEMORY BANK
Using the power of everyday objects to stir recollection, the series of pieces that are called Memory Bank were specifically created to invite a consideration of double meanings and sayings related to money and value. It is intriguing that emotional and physical engagement with money is often referenced in common “money mottos.” These artworks play with phrases that represent a person’s beliefs around money and act as guiding principles representing how one interacts with an experience of wealth and/or poverty.
Burning a Hole in Your Pocket, 2010 cotton pocket, copper coin 6 x 6 x .55"
Seed Money, 2005 leather coin purse, cast bronze citrus seeds 0.5 x 4 x 6"
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, 1997 coin purse, laminated leaf 5 x 5 x 4"
Doesn’t Grow on Trees, 2010 leather coin purse, cast brass twigs 1 x 11 x 11"
Make Cents, 2010 leather coin purse, cast brass coins 0.5 x 8 x 8"
Detail: Make Cents, 2010 leather coin purse, cast brass coins 0.5 x 8 x 8"
Made of Money, 2010 leather coin purse, cast brass coins 3 x 11 x 11"
Detail: Made of Money, 2010 leather coin purse, cast brass coins 3 x 11 x 11"
THIEF
This work was created from Brucker’s own experience of having her backpack, valuables, and wallet stolen while waiting at a train station during the Karnival season in Germany’s Rhineland. After four days her wallet was returned to her along with her passport, U.S. driver’s license and credit cards. This experience further connected Brucker to the idea of a wallet or purse as a device that supports an individual’s sense of identity and an enactment of self.
