The Lottery Scratcher, a tangible embodiment of hope and chance, serves as the central motif in this exploration of fortune's arbitrary hand. Echoing the sentiment of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son"—an anthem of disenfranchisement in a draft-laden time—this work contemplates the inherent inequalities dictated by the "luck of the draw": race, class, sex, and social station. Gambling tools become a frantic language, representing our persistent yearning for an improved reality. Within this installation of discarded, losing scratchers, genuine winning tickets are strategically placed, acting as irresistible enticements. This deliberate inclusion invites viewers to participate in a search that mirrors our collective aspiration for upward mobility and a more favorable turn of fate.

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This work was installed June 7 - 22, 2025 at Pier Plaza, Redondo Beach, CA, as part of Reimagined Poetry Invitational.

 

Scratchers, string, tape, toothpicks, paper, 96 x 72 x 96 inches

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