Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Reality Was Just Too Much Baggage - Painting & Vanity Mirror, Objet D'art

About the Item

Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, repurposes objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. Here, a framed mirror is hinged to the back of a small abstract painting. When "opened", the painting reveals the title page. The pieces are attached to a metal rod and decorative plate and then onto a stone base. When turned completely around, a portrait is revealed on the back of the mirror along with the artist's signature. John Seubert Reality Was Just Too Much Baggage mixed media 21h x 10w x 6d in 53.34h x 25.40w x 15.24d cm JSE070 In the early Nineties, John Seubert was living in a former hotel in a high-rise building on St. James Place in Chicago. The apartment was tiny, as hotel rooms tend to be, and clad with paper-thin walls allowing sound to pass from one apartment to the other. At the time, John’s artwork consisted of pounding copper sheets into tables which was a noisy endeavor to say the least. Following several noise complaints from the neighbors, John had a dream that he was living in a ramshackle house but with plenty of room to work and no attached neighbors. The following day after lunching at the McDonalds in Lincoln Park, John wandered the neighborhood a came upon a shabby, falling-down old Victorian house. He located the real estate agent, put in an offer, and weeks later was pushing a shopping cart full of his belongings to his new home. This 144-year-old Painted Lady provided a blank canvas for this inimitable artist. For many years the house remained so empty that John was able to ride his Japanese fold up bike throughout the 1st floor. “Some people want to have sex in every room, I’ve made art in every room,” says John casually when asked in which room he keeps his studio. The original bumpy-lumpy plaster walls and roly-poly hardwood floors have had their influence on his artwork and vice versa; the artist constantly evolves and devolves with his living environment. Over the years, John has experimented with numerous art forms: welding, ceramics, photography, jewelry making, painting, and sculpture of various kinds. The minute a medium becomes tedious, he drops it and moves on. Until he rediscovers his own work in the place where he’d first set it aside in his home. One thing leads to another and back again.

More From This Seller

View All
Dutch Interior, Based on Miro - Vanity Mirror & Painting, Objet D'art
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, repurposes objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece, based on a series of paintings by famed artist Joan M...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Table Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Reclaimed Wood, Paint

Boys and Toys - Painting & Vanity Mirror with Antique Toys, Objet D'art
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, repurposes objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. Here, a framed mirror is attached to the back of a multi object c...
Category

2010s American Modern Table Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Reclaimed Wood, Paint

I Need a Boy-Toy, Vanity Mirror, Mixed Media Objet D'art
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, uses objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece has two frames that are hinged together. A mirror adorns the outside. When opened, the right panel has a primitive figure painting while the left has a metal plaque with the phrase "I Need a Boy Toy" stamped into it. When closed, the back panel is stamped with "Like I Need a Refrigerator" and signed. John Seubert I Need a Boy-Toy (Like I Need a Refrigerator) mixed media 12.50h x 8.50w x 1.50d in 31.75h x 21.59w x 3.81d cm JSE074 In the early Nineties, John Seubert was living in a former hotel in a high-rise building on St. James Place in Chicago. The apartment was tiny, as hotel rooms tend to be, and clad with paper-thin walls allowing sound to pass from one apartment to the other. At the time, John’s artwork consisted of pounding copper sheets into tables which was a noisy endeavor to say the least. Following several noise complaints from the neighbors, John had a dream that he was living in a ramshackle house but with plenty of room to work and no attached neighbors. The following day after lunching at the McDonalds in Lincoln Park, John wandered the neighborhood a came upon a shabby, falling-down old Victorian house. He located the real estate agent, put in an offer, and weeks later was pushing a shopping cart full of his belongings to his new home. This 144-year-old Painted Lady provided a blank canvas for this inimitable artist. For many years the house remained so empty that John was able to ride his Japanese fold up bike throughout the 1st floor. “Some people want to have sex...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Table Mirrors

Materials

Reclaimed Wood, Paint, Mirror

Fountain of Lies, Objet d'Art with Painting and Found Objects
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, uses objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece has a figurative painting mounted as a shrine then set upon a corinthian capital and a granite stand. A metal plaque at the top as well as at the bottom give the piece it's title 'The Fountain on Lies". John Seubert The Fountain of LIes mixed media Measures: 22.50h x 13.50w x 4d in 57.15h x 34.29w x 10.16d cm JSE069 In the early Nineties, John Seubert was living in a former hotel in a high-rise building on St. James Place in Chicago. The apartment was tiny, as hotel rooms tend to be, and clad with paper-thin walls allowing sound to pass from one apartment to the other. At the time, John’s artwork consisted of pounding copper sheets into tables which was a noisy endeavor to say the least. Following several noise complaints from the neighbors, John had a dream that he was living in a ramshackle house but with plenty of room to work and no attached neighbors. The following day after lunching at the McDonalds in Lincoln Park, John wandered the neighborhood a came upon a shabby, falling-down old Victorian house. He located the real estate agent, put in an offer, and weeks later was pushing a shopping cart full of his belongings to his new home. This 144-year-old Painted Lady provided a blank canvas for this inimitable artist. For many years the house remained so empty that John was able to ride his Japanese fold up bike throughout the 1st floor. “Some people want to have sex...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Table Mirrors

Materials

Reclaimed Wood, Paint

The Closet, Vanity Mirror Objet d'Art Box with Opening Door and Small Portraits
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, uses objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This "closet" has a painted front panel. When opened a small mirror adorns ones side with the message - "Waiting" "Watching" and "Anticipating" on metal plaques. The interior of the closet is embellished with small portraits affixed onto a gold backdrop. The piece is mounted to a rectangular granite base. John Seubert The Closet, 2014 mixed media 15h x 9.50w x 4.50d in 38.10h x 24.13w x 11.43d cm JSE073 In the early Nineties, John Seubert was living in a former hotel in a high-rise building on St. James Place in Chicago. The apartment was tiny, as hotel rooms tend to be, and clad with paper-thin walls allowing sound to pass from one apartment to the other. At the time, John’s artwork consisted of pounding copper sheets into tables which was a noisy endeavor to say the least. Following several noise complaints from the neighbors, John had a dream that he was living in a ramshackle house but with plenty of room to work and no attached neighbors. The following day after lunching at the McDonalds in Lincoln Park, John wandered the neighborhood a came upon a shabby, falling-down old Victorian house. He located the real estate agent, put in an offer, and weeks later was pushing a shopping cart full of his belongings to his new home. This 144-year-old Painted Lady provided a blank canvas for this inimitable artist. For many years the house remained so empty that John was able to ride his Japanese fold up bike throughout the 1st floor. “Some people want to have sex...
Category

2010s American Modern Table Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Reclaimed Wood, Paint

Don't You Dare - Multi-Panel Folding Door Painting, Objet D'art
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, repurposes objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. Here, multiple paintings depicting doors are hinged together with...
Category

2010s American Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Reclaimed Wood, Paint

You May Also Like

Art Deco Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Art Deco tabletop vanity mirror with a single drawer. An arch shaped mirror on curved supports can be tilted forward and back. A dovetailed ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Table Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Art Deco 1900's Vanity Mirror
Located in Taranto, IT
Very rare table mirror having the shape of a fan, with inlaid frame depicting a metal angel. The item, considering its age is in excellent conservative condition, signs of time pres...
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Table Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Adjustable Vanity Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco adjustable vanity mirror - chrome-plated. The Mirror is one sided and has a small blemish on the lower portion of the mirror. The base has a very nice adjustable feature whi...
Category

20th Century Art Deco Table Mirrors

Materials

Mirror

Art Deco Period Table Vanity Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A chrome and wood Art Deco period table vanity mirror, circa early-20th century. Piece has wood and chrome metal base and frame, round mirror, and bronze hardware at back. Mirror is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Table Mirrors

Materials

Bronze, Chrome

Sterling Silver Art Deco Vanity Mirror
By Graff, Washbourne & Dunn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are happy to offer you this sterling silver Art Deco vanity mirror. It’s the perfect size for you vanity table — not too big and definitely n...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Illuminated Dresser Vanity Mirror
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
circa 1940. We offer this illuminated dresser top Art Deco vanity mirror. Beautiful supple modern line and curves. The mirrors are in good condition with no visible cracks or major s...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Table Mirrors

Materials

Metal

Recently Viewed

View All