Stardust Group Art Show - Projection
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During my southern youth, the ubiquitous nature of Coca-Cola presented itself as “The only soft drink” unless you asked for Dr.Pepper. As an adult I became interested in the effect of this brand on society. For over a millennium this brand has seen it all: Cocaine in its recipe, brand loyalty despite changing formulas, the social drink of choice during prohibition, and every major endorsement by a celebrity or sports icon. My 2025 works: “Door #1 PROHIBITION” “Door #2 POP” “Door #3 SPORT” reflect my exploration into the popular American brand. In the genre of assemblage and collage, I use period magazines, coke cartons, decals & screened ink to tell my tale.
Derek Stenborg, History of Coca-Cola.
exibited at Market St. Studio Ellenville NY
during Americana_Recall_Group_Art Show 2025
Derek Stenborg, “Player,” (left) 20”x 20” and “Substitute” (right) 20”x 30”
exibited at Market St. Studio Ellenville NY
during Americana_Recall_Group_Art Show 2025
The Americana Recall show sparked the idea of subliminal habit formation. These habits are often driven by product advertising, but can also grow from seemingly harmless pastimes like games. From childhood, our culture normalizes behaviors — candy cigarettes, buying property in Monopoly, or playing “cowboys and Indians” that centers on gaining power through violence. Over time these patterns become automatic, and as adults we swap the childhood versions for more sophisticated, real-world equivalents.
Derek Stenborg, Walks Of Life. exibited at Inn Way Art Co-op UAW 2025
These pieces represent three aspects of my life: music, scenic art and Earthship building. As a conceptual artist, I draw from these aspects and create art pieces. Creating in collage or assemblage; recycling objects into a second life..
The first piece is titled “SPATCHCOCK MARTIN.” This was the guitar I played for 30 years before the TSA mishandled it on a flight from Houston to NYC in 2022. I was once a professional touring musician and this was not only my main instrument, but also a dear friend. The piece heavily references the band I played with from 1998 to 2003, one handed molly. The guitar is split in two, cracked through the breast bone. The full story is present: peppered with original paperwork, bill of sale, photos of the band, boarding passes and lastly a pine box crate as it’s frame. After making this piece, I experienced a strange twist of fate, I was gifted the exact make and model guitar which serves as its companion in this exhibit.
The second piece is called “PAINT SHOP.” This piece was inspired by artist, Rashid Johnson, who often created his pieces from found materials from the workplace. In 2020, I was doing scenic work on a TV show and was asked to create several pieces in the style of Rashid Johnson. In order to get into the assignment, I utilized the materials around me, on a typical work day. The intention was to use my art work as set dressing, but it never made it to camera. Despite this, I felt my authentic effort open a door in me creatively. I saved the piece from dumpster demise and have held on to it. This is the first time it has had an audience. I continued to explore this natural approach to storytelling by recycling objects.
Derek Stenborg, Walks Of Life. exibited at Inn Way Art Co-op UAW 2025
The third piece is called, “BLUE MOON.” This was originally shown in the context of an art show I curated called “STARDUST,” in 2023 at reservoir studios and Upstate Art Weekend. Making a reappearance, it symbolizes many things, including my entrance into the Ellenville artist community. In 2018 I began learning about the off-grid lifestyle of EARTHSHIPS. I attended an Earthship construction class for a month in Taos NM which then changed my life forever. I’ve been saving glass bottles, aluminum cans and other useable recycled materials from TV and Film dumpsters. These blue bottles came from working on Saturday Night Live for a year. The show is sponsored by Saratoga Springs water and I retrieved and cut more than 80 bottles from the trash to make this piece. At the point of conception, I accidentally found a round plant stand that serves as it’s base. It is electrified with LED tape lights on the inside. BLUE MOON makes a wonderful modern lamp.
Derek Stenborg, Walks Of Life. exibited at Inn Way Art Co-op UAW 2025