Projects — Reuben Lorch-Miller

South East Queens Flags

South East Queens Flags was a collaborative public art project, exhibited part of Jamaica Flux 2021 in Jamaica, Queens. I worked with community collaborators to generate ideas for the design of six new flags to represent South East Queens, NY. More details can be found at the project site: SEQ Flags.com

South East Queens Flags

6 nylon flags on public display on Jamaica Ave.
Jamaica. Queens, NYC
2021

South East Queens Flags

2021

South East Queens

2021

Green, Black, and Red Flag

Dye sublimated nylon flag
36” x 60”
2021

Three of this flag’s four colors, green, black and red, are based on what is known as the “Pan-African flag” designed by Marcus Garvey in 1920 to unify the global African diaspora. While originally the colors symbolized red for the blood of sacrifice and struggle, the green for the nature and fertility of Africa and black for the people, the flag has evolved into a broader symbol of African-American identity and Black liberation movements. Many national flags of post-colonial African nations have also adopted these colors such as Malawi, Kenya and Libya. In this form shown here, the flag is composed similarly to many other flags, with two horizontal stripes bisected by an acute triangle. While many flags have similar designs, the prominent triangles seen in the flag of Guyana served as inspiration. The addition of the gold sun in the black triangle not only references power, optimism and strength but also the light and warmth of many nations and Southeast Queens itself.

All In Flag

Dye sublimated nylon flag
36” x 60”
2021

This flag contains stripes of many colors on a dark blue background. The stripes represent the many different people that live in Southeast Queens, their different cultures and origins, and multiple flag colors all moving in the same direction. The upward flying airplane references movement, action and Southeast Queens’ proximity and relationship to JFK Airport. The airport acts as a gateway for people from all over the world entering New York City. It is also a place that links NYC to the rest of the world. The phrase “ALL IN” emphasizes the inclusiveness and diversity of Southeast Queens.

Sunrise Flag

Dye sublimated nylon flag
36” x 60”
2021

This flag honors the natural beauty and environment found in Southeast Queens. By name, the area is oriented to the east and is geographically bounded on one side by Jamaica Bay. With many neighborhoods composed of low buildings and ample greenery, the dawning of a new day seen through a morning sunrise can be an opportunity for reflection and appreciation. The simple design of this flag represents this direct connection to nature and the peace and beauty of this area. Many flags, including the Bangladeshi flag, have the sun as a central symbolic element in their designs.

Free Heart Flag

Dye sublimated nylon flag
36” x 60”
2021

This flag shares the colors of red, white and blue that are found on many flags including the Haitian Flag. The heart represents the love, pride and connection of community while the word “FREE” represents concepts of liberation, self-determination, independence and openness.

Robin Flag

Dye sublimated nylon flag
36” x 60”
2021

Referencing the nature found in Southeast Queens, this flag centrally places the American Robin in a light blue circle on a gold background. The robin is a ubiquitous and iconic bird of the region. As a symbol of determination, with its distinctive red breast and joyful song, its presence is also often a sign of Spring, a season of renewal and growth. The light blue circle represents not only the clear blue sky but also the color of the robin’s egg showing potential for new life. The blue circle is bounded by a green and black band which represent life and strength. The gold background places the symbol in a field of light, warmth and honor.

Unity Flag

Dye sublimated nylon flag
36” x 60”
2021

This flag shows the richness, pride and togetherness found in Southeast Queens. The center square is purple, the royal color. Within the square, in gold, is the crown of Queens with the word “UNITY” directly underneath. Surrounding the crown and “UNITY” is a gold chain, representing the interconnected links of the community. The chain’s strength is formed by the unification of all the separate links. None can stand alone, and it is this unified strength that holds the community together. This motif was partially inspired by the ring of wampum beads found on the official Queens Borough flag. The green and orange vertical stripes on either side of the flag represent love and power. Green and orange are found on many flags including the flags of Sri Lanka and Ivory Coast.

Samsara

40” x 58” x 140”
2019
masonite, acrylic paint, found writing tablets from late the 1980s covered in contemporaneous graffiti (masonite, ink, graphite, chewing gum)

This is a modular sculpture that can be assembled in different forms.

Exhibition Images

Untitled (Yard Man Sculpture)

36” x 27”
2018
black toner on florescent paper mounted on watercolor paper
(original photograph produced with assembled photocopies on paper)

Exhibition Images

Untitled (tree and path)

36” x 27”
2018
black toner on white paper mounted on watercolor paper
(original photograph produced with assembled photocopies on paper)

Exhibition Images

Flyer/Photo Collages

collaged photocopies
36 x 27 inches
2018

sources include original photographs, found flyers, reconstructed flyers, historical flyers, childhood drawings and QR codes linking to external content

Cat Climber

QR code links to Earth First Journal

Free Summer Vacations

Dead Phone

Beach Sculpture

Spiritual Life Coach

Passage

QR code links to T he Drone Papers

Child's Witch

Blue Fix Your Credit

Tree and Path

QR code links to Hollow Earth Theory

Crippling Thoughts

Exit

QR code links to Airwars

Beach Sculpture Lithograph

Five color photo-lithograph on Rives BFK white paper
Paper size, 19 7/8” x 15” Image size; 18 5/8” x 14 1/4”
Edition of 40
2018

Signed, dated and numbered

Printed in collaboration with
Normal Editions Workshop
Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Available for online purchase

Untitled

masonite, ink, graphite (found writing tablets from late the 1980s covered in contemporaneous graffiti)
dimensions variable
(approx. 48 x 84 x 32 here)
2017

This sculpture is made from modular pieces that can be reassembled in different forms. It is never the same twice.

New Totems I & II

34 x 20 x 16 inches
2016

New Totem I
found plastic sign, recycled cardboard, acrylic mirror scrap, found flyers, photocopies, wall paper paste, tape, paint and QR code linking to The Intercept's The Drone Papers

View We May Be Ghosts exhibition

New Totem II
wood and paint

View Tunapu exhibition

New Totem I

New Totem 1

New Totem I

New Totem II

Wall Crawler

photocopied flyers, cardboard, wall paper paste, thumbtacks
44 x 85 inches
2016

View We May Be Ghosts exhibition

Outdoor Sculptures

cast and carved concrete
2016

untitled 1

19 x 20 x 9 inches

untitled 1

19 x 20 x 9 inches

untitled 2

18 x 20 x 20 inches

untitled 2

18 x 20 x 20 inches

untitled 3

12 x 18 x 4 inches

untitled 4

18 x 15 x 16 inches

untitled 4

18 x 15 x 16 inches

untitled 5

25 x 16 x 8 inches

untitled 5

25 x 16 x 8 inches

untitled 6

16 x 8 x 18 inches

untitled 6

16 x 8 x 18 inches

Temporary Situations

painted plywood
2016
These sculptures are made with modular interlocking pieces

View We May Be Ghosts exhibition

Temporary Situation One

94 x 26 x 34 inches

Temporary Situation Two

76 x 24 x 40 inches

Temporary Situation Three

87 x 45 x 20 inches

installation view

Modular Sculptures

painted wood
2015

These sculptures are made from modular pieces that can be assembled and reassembled into different forms.

View Odd Time exhibition

Red Modular Sculpture

20 x 8 x 8 inches

Black and White Modular Sculpture

13.5 x 6 x 6 inches

Time and Space

original photographs printed as large photocopies
30 x 22 inches
2015

View Odd Time exhibition

Time

Space

Magic Hands

two sided photocopies
2015

Magic Hands (front)

8.25 x 11.5 inches

Magic Hands (back)

8.25 x 11.5 inches

view text

Odd Time Flyer (front)

11 x 8.5 inches

Odd Time Flyer (back)

11 x 8.5 inches

view text

Untitled (paintings)

2014
acrylic and spray paint on paper

View Odd Time exhibition

30 x 22 inches

20 x14 inches

20 x 14 inches

20 x14 inches

16 x 12 inches

carved heads

2014
dyed hemlock

untitled (turquoise and black)

15 x 9 x 8 inches

untitled (red and black)

16.5 x 8 x 7 inches

untitled (blue and purple)

15.5 x 8.5 x 8 inches

Carved heads with a structure

2014
found wood and carved hemlock heads
all heads 3-5 inches

This work was made during a residency at The Shandaken Project

found wood and carved wooden heads
65 x 22 x 4.5 inches

The Hierophant & The Hermit

2013
Cast iron

View Living is the Best Thing exhibition

The Hierophant

16 x 6 x 4 inches

The Hermit

13 x 6 x 4 inches

Secret Plan I, II, III

2014
Photocopies
all 30.5 x 24.5 inches

View Living is the Best Thing exhibition

Shadow Sculpture

2013
plaster, cardboard, paint and wax
35 x 28 x 21 inches

Smoke Vessels

2012
ceramics
dimensions vary

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

XIII

XIV

XV

XVI

XVII

Straits of Eris

2013
collaged photocopies on mat board
40 x 32 inches

Straits of Eris #1

Straits of Eris #2

Straits of Eris #3

Straits of Eris #4

Burnt Offerings

2011
ceramics

All of these pieces were fired in a home-made back-yard kiln in Portland, Oregon during the depths of winter.

View In Cryptic Rays Exhibition

Cold Stasis

14 x 8 x 10 inches

Imperial Tomb

12 x 8 x 4 inches

Knowledge of the Blood

12 x 9 x 8 inches

The Country Doctor

12 x 7 x 6 inches

Synthesized Object

12 x 6 x 5 inches

Negated Object

14 x 9 x 10 inches

In Cryptic Rays

2010
collaged photocopies

View In Cryptic Rays Exhibition

One Eyed Martyr

24 x 18 inches

Ghost Ship

24 x 18 inches

Architecture of Invisible Structures

24 x 18 inches

Burnt Home

24 x 18 inches

Helpless Before the Void

24 x 18 inches

Psychic Automatism

14 x 11 inches

The Ordinate Sleep

24 x 18 inches

I Only See in Black and White

24 x 18 inches

Sideyard Psychic

14 x 10 inches

Propositional Sculptures

2009
black photocopy on pink paper
all 33 x 23 inches

The Awkward Princess

Big Boy

The Wizard

Mr. Cool

First and Serious

Sovtek

Blocky Baby

Sovtek

Ya Buddy