TOFU 

art by Scott ‘Tofu’ St. John

Reverse Collage

1998 - 2009

Meat Cutting in Toledo

Ford Falcon Icon #1

Who’s There?

Yma Sumac Icon

Soviet Block #2, Hungary

In 1998, on a visit to S.C.R.A.P. I found an old piece of Plexiglas.   That started an experiment that lead to a series of collages on Plexiglas. I called these works reverse collages. 

Unlike traditional collages, which build up from the bottom, a reverse collage is done on Plexiglas from the front to back using paint, ephemera, foil, wax, etc.  

In 2000, these were included as part of an artist-in-residency and demonstration at the de Young Museum.  A few word origin websites have even claimed I had invented the term “reverse collage” (I am not certain if that is true).  

In 2011 I discovered a craft supply company was selling something called Reverse Collage Glue.  An idea I find ridiculous, as any good, water-based, clear drying glue will work just fine.  The examples shown here are 6”x6” each.

© Scott St. John 1997-2024