It's a match
A collaboration between Joshua. A. Bilkis & Seth Bilkis
October 2023
Joshua. A. Bilkis
"Hello! My name is Joshua Bilkis. I am an artist, writer, poet, and founder of the renowned Primal Spirit Gallery of Savannah, Georgia. Typically, I work as an impressionist painter bringing animal spirits to life! All of my animals are joined with their name and a poem that I write about who they are and what they believe in. My goal is to inspire creativity in others through the shifts and positive impacts my wisdom and writing creates.
This piece in particular was created in conjunction with the artist Seth, who also happens to be my older brother. I told him that I wanted the piece and poem to express the excitement and nerves of a first date and what lies ahead... but Seth keeps telling me it was his idea. Matchbooks are beautiful mementos, reminders of detail and intimate memories, and I think the metaphors of fire truly capture this idea."
Seth Bilkis
"My name is Seth Bilkis. I am a visual artist, interior designer, and founder of my own small business Matchbox912. My current medium of choice is vintage matchbooks/boxes. I utilize this almost-forgotten aspect of the restaurant experience to turn an ordinary memento into something beautiful and extraordinary. My pieces are all themed either based on a restaurant type, location, color, etc. I am to evoke the pleasant and often forgotten memories of dining at one’s favorite restaurant as well as to create aesthetically pleasing pieces of art and decor.
This piece in particular was created in conjunction with the poet Joshua, who also happens to be my younger brother. I told him that I wanted the piece and poem to express the excitement of a first date and what lies beyond that. Matchbooks are a physical reminder of the places you have been along with the memories made there. This piece is a visual history of the story of a couple falling in love. From the first date ending with her number and kiss on the inside of a matchbook to the many adventures and memories made beyond that moment."
