“And I’m gonna be 40!”

Created in 2023 by Melissa R. Strom

Broken VHS tape, ink, acrylic on polystyrene

20 x 24 inches

On a clear piece of polystyrene, the words “Charlie Chaplin had babies when he was 73” are hand painted, spaced over the middle of the piece in a thick black ink. Layered over top of the text are the smashed bits and pieces of a black VHS tape. Most of the outer casing of the VHS tape sits in the bottom right corner of the piece. Although the center of it is smashed, we can see through two smashed pieces that the text originally read, “for best picture please adjust on your screen”,. The inner tape of the VHS spills and snakes up to the top left corner of the artwork. Bits of black and clear plastic from the smashed tape are sprinkled around the piece.

Welcome to the Real World will be on display at The Gallery at Steel Pixel Studios from May 15-July 7, 2023. There will be an artist reception on May 25 from 6:30-8pm. The Gallery at Steel Pixel Studios is located at 701 N New St. FL1, Bethlehem, PA 18018.