Stephen Wozniak
Goldbricker
2021
Morado rosewood, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
Italian brass cabinet knob, gloss urethane
2″ H x 1 3/4″ W x 3 1/2″ D
Collection of Sandy Skoglund

A goldbricker is something that only appears valuable on the surface—like a worthless clay brick covered in imitation gold leaf, pretending to be solid gold. The term also describes a person who seems industrious but gets paid for work that isn’t truly performed. Similarly, many consumer goods project a sense of class or cultural identity through the use of fake or superficial materials.

But how do we perceive authentic materials when they appear in unconventional forms—ones that don’t align with accepted notions of wealth, middle-class taste, or poverty? Can these materials and formats help us better understand the subjective and abstract market value of both common and rare objects? Do they reveal something deeper about essential human values?

Goldbricker—constructed from genuine Morado rosewood, 24-karat gold leaf, and pure brass rather than synthetic veneer, imitation leaf, or plated metal—poses these and other questions. It offers a symbolic handle, inviting viewers to grasp and explore the sealed container of meanings they may seek. While its material worth is readily apparent, I hope its spiritual, aesthetic, and intellectual resonance is equally recognized and felt.