"Tiny Golden State Jacket" by Gordon Chandler

Upon discovering a weathered steel drum that had been warped to resemble the sleeve of a garment, artist Gordon Chandler was inspired to embark on a series of kimono sculptures formed from found metal scraps. With an eye to the aesthetic possibilities of this humble material, Chandler invests the reclaimed steel with sculptural fluidity and a wry sense of form.

With a few careful folds and thoughtful use of pattern, a discarded license plate takes on the look of a miniature jacket. Patterned with graphic text and the iconic sunset of California plates, the rigid metal appears as draped fabric, folded back along a central seam to form a simple collar. The petite sculpture is finished with the artist's initials stamped at the neckline in place of a garment label.