“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"

Created in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom

Magnetic videocassette tape, ink, and glue on canvas

8 x 8 inches

This piece of art is made of a square canvas wrapped in magnetic videocassette tape. The tape itself is black, shiny, and has a reflective quality to it. One long piece of tape, about half an inch wide, loosely wraps the entire canvas vertically/in a vertical manner, from the front all the way across and around the upper and lower sides, and back. The edges of the tape are visible, forming overlapping, layered stripes as they appear to have been hastily wrapped with the tape drooping from the bottom at various lengths. If the viewer examines closely, they may find an obscured reflection of themselves. Black ink has been painted along the left and right sides of the canvas where tape does not fully conceal the edges of the canvas.

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.