Roxy’s, 1960-61

Five Dollar Billy

The Madam

Roxy’s, 1960-61

Full Scale assemblage (room-sized installation) with 8 figures, each with a specific name

Roxy’s is Kienholz’ first completely subversive installation, making it a pivotal art piece. He created an environment of a shared experience that the viewer would walk into. This brothel scene was inspired by a childhood experience.

Five Dollar Billy

Engraved torso with puppet legs lying supine on sewing machine.

This figure suggests the mechanized physical nature of prostitution from the prostitute’s perspective. The carvings on the torso are the names of her johns.

The Madam

Boar’s skull, vintage cloth dress, metal & tile base

The Madam has a flower at her abdomen that signifies the detachment of one’s mind from the physical acts of the body. She wears a child’s sampler of the Lord’s Prayer around her neck.