5535-2017
An installation memorializing the 5,535 people who died from heroin and opioid addiction in Pennsylvania in 2017.
Mixed media installation / chandelier sculpture
5,535 clear glassine baggies, crystal beads, monofilament
Created in response to overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in 2017
5535-2017 is a chandelier-like sculpture made from 5,535 glassine baggies, each filled with a one-inch crystal bead. Every bag represents a person who lost their life to heroin or opioid addiction in Pennsylvania in 2017. The crystal-filled baggies were strung on varying lengths of monofilament and suspended from the ceiling, creating a dense hanging form that is both visually seductive and emotionally devastating.
The work was created in response to the opioid epidemic and its impact on families and communities, including my own. It transforms a symbol associated with addiction into a memorial structure—one that speaks to grief, scale, loss, and collective witness.
In 2018, 5535-2017 received First Prize in Sculpture at Art of the State in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It also received the Purchase Prize Award, and became part of the permanent collection of The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Installation Details
Participants in the making of the piece included individuals completing community service hours through Brush With the Law and the Montgomery County ARD program, as well as family members, friends of those affected by substance use disorder, and people in recovery.
Recognition
First Prize, Sculpture — Art of the State, Harrisburg, PA, 2018
Purchase Prize Award — Acquired by The State Museum of Pennsylvania