Kitschen

(mixed media, 1m x 0.3m x 1.2m)

Kitschen is a german word from the 1870s meaning "to make do". It now more commonly means trash.

Kitsch is discovered by the way things make you feel than by any set rules.
This safer sex sculpture was used in The Blue Moon Cafe, Edinburgh for several years as a condom dispenser. The painting comes from Tretchikoffs "Miss Wong". Her name was Leonora Schmidt-Salomonson (Lenka) and Tretchikoff met her during WW2 in Java.

As he painted her he asked what she did. When she replied that she was an accountant he said "Isnt that a mans job"?."Yes ", she replied, "thats why I did it. I wanted to prove that a woman can do it as well as a man". Pigeon Post, Tretchikoffs autobiography. Kitschen has been made into a video and has been shown at various international festivals, being remixed in 1996 and shortened to Kitsch, winning the Tartan Oscar Award at the Reel to Reel Festival in Glasgow. The 'Oscar' is made from plaster ,sprayed gold, with a kilt...fabulous!
It has also been given a mention in 20th Century