Hooked

Since the release of the landmark Surgeon General’s report on the risks of smoking in 1964, the percentage of American’s who smoke has dropped by half. The campaign against smoking has been one of the most effective public health interventions in history. 

There’s another equally harmful addiction that perhaps goes unnoticed; it’s an addiction to the one of the most dangerous substances on Earth that has killed more people than war... sugar.  Our culture of consumption and excess has led to an epidemic of obesity, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death. This installation is a clarion call for a u-turn in our cultural attitudes and normative values towards food.  It’s time for a new war, this time against sugar and not ourselves.

Artist's note: I struggle with both sugar and tobacco addiction on a daily basis. The inspiration for this piece stemmed from reading Fat Chance by Dr. Robert Lustig.  I also highly recommend watching a great new documentary called Fed Up. Lets make this change together.

The installation has been at display at the Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery in New York City and 12Gates Gallery in Philadelphia.