Korea

Korea is one of many handcrafted objects that Westermann made as gifts for his wife, Joanna. This hand-carved, inlaid, glass-doored wood cabinet contains a collection of personal and found objects including an antique scrimshaw (carved ivory or whale bone), a Mickey Mouse figurine, and a Victorian pop-up valentine card from Westermann to Joanna. The exterior of the cabinet is embellished with carved images and texts including a clenched bandaged fist holding a piece of rope, a dagger accompanied by the text "death-before-dishonor," a carved image of a burning Japanese suicide plane approaching a U.S. naval ship, and the word "Korea." A chain and lock carved out of wood adorn the right side of the cabinet. These items touch upon some of the recurring influences on Westermann: his love for the sea, his interest in pop-cultural icons, and his famous devotion to his wife.