Wish

I made all of these wands because I wanted to play with you. Before art, sex, war, and work, we would play in the woods after school or in the backyard lit by fireflies at dusk.

Most of the handles I found; but some were gifted to me too. I screwed eyehooks into driftwood battered by the sea. Rolling pins for sugar cookies and pizza night. A secondhand shoehorn. A gavel. I had to make the ribbons. Some are dyed or scribbled on with marker, and a few are even marbled. Colors and patterns to swirl in the air, unfurling around us.

Pick one up and see how you feel after a song or two. There doesn't have to be a winner or a loser. A wrong or right. An audience or a stage. They’re not weapons. Are they tools? Toys sound too childish. Props are for performers. We’re just playing now. It feels good. Try it! You know what to do. Your body knows—it's an ancient feeling.

Artist Bio Fred Blauth b. 1993

I am an ad hoc artist. I like to use what I have to make what I need. Since the pandemic, I’ve made collages, artist trading cards, stickers, bracelets, notebooks/journals, birthday candles, crayons, dice, buttons (some people call them pins), two quilts, masks, and all of these wands. I was born and raised between the Pine Barrens and the Jersey Shore. I live in Queens now with my boyfriend Grant and our pet spiders, Louise, Pumpkin and Gia. I believe in the power of art as an answer—as a key, a portal, a cure, hope, joy, play, magic, connection and love.

I’ve worked in the arts for over a decade as a curator, journalist, gallery director, attendant, art handler, registrar and now I’m in the shipping department at an auction house. This is my debut exhibition as an artist. I’ve also been a valet/doorman, a lifeguard, a mailman, a black belt, prom king and am the oldest of three brothers. I don’t know what I’m going to be next but I’m lucky and grateful to be here now, with you.

@_fr.ed Fred Blauth