Unicorn and The Key , 2010
110 x 84 in (h x w)
Piano, bench, Glazed ceramic, printing ink Courtesy of Marianne Boesky Gallery
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In Unicorn and The Key, Jessica Jackson Hutchins (Chicago, Illinois, 1971) presents her family heirloom baby grand piano, which she has dramatically altered for her art. The mythical unicorn is referenced by the large phallic ceramic horn or tusk sitting atop the piano’s cover. Hutchins has distressed the surface of the piano with gashes, marks and graffiti. These interventions to the piano lid were done to create several large-scale woodcuts, such as Piano Print (Yellow Ochre), which highlight the patterning of the marks on her piano’s surface. A result of these prints and woodcuts is the staining of the piano’s keys in a variety of hues, the result of the ink leaking for the prints pressed on the piano’s lid. A key is carved on the lid of the piano bench, and a lumpish form has been stuffed into the seat, rendering the bench unusable and the piano difficult to play. Hutchins’ transformation of her musical instrument into sculpture, allows us to see the continuum between utility and art. In Hutchins’ work, nothing is wasted. The wood pieces and shavings removed from the piano to form the woodprints were recycled by the artist into collage. Reflecting on the wood that was transformed to make the piano, Hutchins continues the unending transformation of organic material.

Other works by Jessica Jackson Hutchins

Piano Print (Yellow Ochre) , 2014
90.5 x 72.2 in (h x w)
Please note: Image dimensions have been modified for online presentation. Actual dimensions are 74 1/2 x 72 1/4 inches. Woodcut monoprint on paper Courtesy of Marianne Boesky Gallery
Lehman College Art Gallery

More from Lehman College Art Gallery

Piano Chair , 2011
45 x 55 in (h x w)
Digital Animation Courtesy of Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London
Lehman College Art Gallery
A Place for Infinite Tuning II , 2015
49 x 49 in (h x w)
Hand-cut oud and viola, artificial flowers, plywood, mirrored Plexiglas and steel, mirrored Plexiglas, velcro, latex paint Courtesy of the artist and Priska Pasquer Gallery
Lehman College Art Gallery
Song for Sebald , 2017
59.3 x 38.5 in (h x w)
Hand-cut archival inkjet prints, headphones, Plexiglas, MP3 players, plywood and foam Courtesy of the artist and Priska Pasquer Gallery Photograph by Steven Probert
Lehman College Art Gallery
Pencil (Guitar) , 2013
26 x 29.5 in (h x w)
Digital c-print Courtesy of the artist and Priska Pasquer Gallery
Lehman College Art Gallery
My Song to Sing , 2013
84 x 84 in (h x w)
Ink, Acrylic, paper and fabric collage on wood panel Private Collection Photo Credit: Jason Mandella
Lehman College Art Gallery