Philadelphia gallerist Bruce Hoffman restarted his artistic practice during COVID while isolated from his curatorial work. He began to source found objects and says that he became obsessed with buying and collecting beads. Hoffman also began to repurpose plastic bottles altering each by cutting, melting, painting, and beading them. He describes the objects as three-dimensional canvases that evolved into various sized abstract forms, some more floral-like than others.

The constructed and often heavily painted plastics are curiously extravagant compositions with abundant detailing and textures like a densely planted English garden. Hoffman says that he is inspired by “cut flowers that are tall and spilling out” from their vases. As time passes, he becomes intrigued as the flowers start to fade. He wrote, “I love to watch the flowers droop, dry out, and wilt. I find the act of decay breathtaking.”

Hoffman describes his vases of flowers as “my 21st-century version of decaying extravagance.” Many of the objects are quite personal to Hoffman and represent “emotional connections to people, places, and times.” Yet, he recognizes that those aspects are not apparent to others and encourages viewers to experience them as playful, fun, and fantastical.

Photo credit: Arvin Alivia

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