So young and already such a history. I created this work in 2023, but it already has a very eventful and moving story behind it. An award, 10.000 flight miles, a journey through three countries, a theft, and a sale. But let’s start from the beginning.
When I had finished the piece and saw the first print in front of me, I immediately thought of Coney Island, my favorite place in New York City. The colors reminded me of Coney Island, a bit of Nathan’s, a bit of Wonder Wheel, a bit of Parachute Jump, a bit of the huge “Coney Island” sign in the underpass, a bit of the Atlantic, and much more reminded me of Coney Island. I didn’t know back then that the eventful history of Coney Island as the “Nickel Empire” and a workplace for crooks, including Al Capone, would play a role in the later life of the artwork. So, the work had its name.
After that, things happened quickly. The artwork was awarded by ARTBOX.PROJECTS, Switzerland, and won a spot at the Spectrum/Red Dot Miami exhibition as part of Art Week Miami 2023. Then the following happened: the artwork exhibited in Miami (64cm x 36cm) was stolen by professional art thieves on the way back to Germany, and a second, much larger print (180 x 115cm) was sold in the USA. Was this the karma of Coney Island or just a coincidence?
Regardless, I love this image very much and can lose myself and fall in love with it anew every day