The Man in the Polka Dot Shirt

When I was young man, my mother owned a tailoring business. I spent a great deal of time around sewing machines, fabrics and fashion. The foot treadle that I used as the torso for this piece inspired me in two ways. First, it symbolized all the hard work my Mom put into making her business a success and, second, the polka dot pattern reminded me very much of a favorite polyester shirt that I wore during the "disco" years of the 70's!

A cast iron base supports the sewing machine treadle that inspired the piece. A primitive, hand forged eel gig was used for the arm. The head was constructed from an antique barrel cork adorned with the hand made blade of a cranberry rake.