
Tom Duncan
The Execution of Private Slovik, 2009

Tom Duncan’s work could be considered sculptural memoir. The largely self-taught artist constructs dioramic, assemblage installations based on youthful memories and historical events that took place during his childhood. His materials are recovered detritus and found objects, including scrap metal, toy figurines, and discarded wood; Duncan also tends to use vivid and varied colors in each piece. Revisited themes in Duncan’s work include his immigration to New York, Catholicism, World War II, sexuality, and popular culture. While some works tend towards allegorical narrative, others are veristic miniaturizations of real-world places; one prominent example of the latter is his Dedicated to Coney Island (1984-2002), a desktop tableau that contains motorized and moving rides.


Tom Duncan’s work could be considered sculptural memoir. The largely self-taught artist constructs dioramic, assemblage installations based on youthful memories and historical events that took place during his childhood. His materials are recovered detritus and found objects, including scrap metal, toy figurines, and discarded wood; Duncan also tends to use vivid and varied colors in each piece. Revisited themes in Duncan’s work include his immigration to New York, Catholicism, World War II, sexuality, and popular culture. While some works tend towards allegorical narrative, others are veristic miniaturizations of real-world places; one prominent example of the latter is his Dedicated to Coney Island (1984-2002), a desktop tableau that contains motorized and moving rides.