Ode to Joy (and MSG)

Those who know me well know of my love for Chinese food (both authentic and Americanized). For me, Chinese food is a comfort food, and MSG is a seasoning near and dear to my heart (and stomach). The idea for this sculpture came during a particularly stressful day at work. As I thought, trying to figure out a remedy for my sour mood, the thought of Crab Rangoon entered my mind. To me, Crab Rangoon is the epitome of what I call "Chinese Soul Food." This epiphany solved several problems that day — my mood, my dinner plans, and my sculpture plans for the next 2 years. The finished piece weighed probably about 100 lbs and was constructed out of steel rod stock, steel plates, and expanding foam. Having to move it back and forth for about two years in order to construct it was beneficial, though, as it helped to work off the countless Chinese dinners I was inspired to have after looking at the sculpture so frequently.