8:30 A.M. ALMS
TOSHEE
LAyered Series
Liquid acrylic, sumi ink, cotton rag mat, 99.9% pure silver leaf, vintage map, resin, on deep-cradled wood panel
36" x 36" x 2.75" unframed
My series “LAyered” is a collection I’d like to think Jonathan Gold might have appreciated, because it delves into hidden and in-plain-sight cultural gems all over LA. But there’s another reason: Food culture was an important undercurrent in the series.
In 2001, on the KCRW show "Good Food," Gold reviewed Thailand Plaza, the setting of this painting. He described the funky setup, the singing Thai Elvis, and the surprisingly good food, all tucked away on the second floor of a market with a very conspicuous neon street sign.
I don’t know if he was aware of the regular Saturday morning Thai Buddhist gathering in the parking lot, where the local temple ministers to the faithful and collects alms, but it seems like a very Gold moment indeed.