The life cycle of chewing gum is generally as follows: processing -> packaging -> sale -> consumption -> spitting out into the garbage -> life in the landfill.
On rare occasions, in the hands of the right people, such as Jason Kroenwald of Ancaster, Ontario (he now resides in Toronto) this life cycle is changed. Gum that passes through his hands (but usually not his mouth – with a dedicated chewing team, he doesn’t chew the gum unless he has to) follows a post-chew-pattern more closely represented by this: becoming an art supply -> being turned into a work of art -> being sold and displayed for eternity (or something close to it). In 1996, Kroenwald created his first “Gum Blondes” portrait out of pre-chewed gum.
Each “Gum Blonde” is made entirely of chewing gum pressed onto a plywood backing. A variety of flavors are used with any colour blending occuring in the chewing process and all colours coming solely from the colouring of the gum. While Kroenwald uses multiple brands, he states that Trident is his favourite texture-wise (aspiring gum artists – take note!).
With no further ado, here are some of his works of art, with more displayed on his website here.
For more “Where It’s Art: Please Do Not Taste the Artwork” – Click here!