a studio view of picket signs by sarah applebaum, 2011-2012 wood and paint all images courtesy the artist
san francisco, california, USA-based artist sarah moli newton applebaum has sent to designboom her new-psych pieces. applebaum’s range of creation spans from picket signs of every day objects to giant knit chains or felt guns. her work attempt to reconcile the psychological and psychedelic as her aesthetic is formed from an exploration into the worlds of art and design in combination with the psychology symbolism. the artist’s work is an investigation into the dual nature of the conscious and unconscious mind as her pieces possess the underpinnings of gestalt therapy and psychoanalysis of which she told us she has a deep interest.
picket signs
the graphic, wooden picket signs are made in the form of symbols and/or personal item – bright colors and patterns, a house key, vultures, television test pattern, an individual’s silhouette, a maze, dark clouds, and splattered eggs. upon completing the collection, applebaum tells designboom she plans to use the picket signs for a live march/picket line.
‘wall of guns’, 2011
‘giant felt gun’ die cut layered felt 2 ft x 1 1/2 ft x 4 in
a detailed view picturing the felt barrel and cylinder of the massive plush gun
giant cork gun, 2 ft x 1 1/2 ft x 4 in
the ‘heads’ collection, 2011
each of the three-dimensional profiles are built on a 1:1 ratio, constructed from honeycomb paper and wood. the artist develops the expandable works in her san francisco studio by means of a scroll saw for shaping the wooden cover then hand cutting the honeycomb paper interior with a custom template formed from the profiles pictured individuals.
rainbow ‘head’, 2011
green ‘head’ with natural wood exterior, 2011
‘knit chain’ a giant, gray knitted chain each link is about 16 inches long
Jan 22, 2026
Jan 01, 2026
Nov 27, 2025
Nov 14, 2025