Ed Ruscha, David Hockney, Mr. Chow Matchbox, 1984

Ed Ruscha, David Hockney

Mr. Chow Matchbox, 1984

Silkscreen on matchbox with matches inside.

1 1/2 × 2 inches

This is an actual matchbox with silkscreens of works by Ed Ruscha and David Hockney respectively on each side. Mr. Chow's restaurant was a fixture in Hollywood of the 1980s - the literal food bridge between the glamorous worlds of moviemaking and art - and Mr. Chow himself became a celebrity in his own right -- having his portrait painted by David Hockney, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and many other art world superstars of that era. In 1984, Mr. Chow produced this matchbox featuring "Mr Chow Portrait" (1967) by David Hockney, and "Mr. Chow L.A." (1973) by Ed Ruscha. Today it is a wonderful and uncommon collectors' item. In good vintage condition with matches intact. Strike away!
In 2018, Prestel (a division of Random House) published a celebration of Mr. Chow's 50 years in business, and CNN Style produced a feature entitled "Mr Chow: How a Chinese restaurant became an art world mecca."

Good vintage condition; no matches inside for safety