Drew Leshko is preserving a slice of Philadelphia history that would otherwise go unnoticed or get torn down by the city’s powers that be.
“The work examines gentrification and history, how historical relevance is determined, and most importantly, what is worth preserving,” reads a statement on the artist’s blog. Dollhouse-size paper and wood recreations of sticker-clad dumpsters, graffiti-covered walls, and porn theaters help us determine the answers Leshko hopes we will ponder. Philadelphia, like many cities, is sacrificing parts of its culture in the name of the almighty dollar. In this way, Leshko’s works are “documentary studies” of a community in transition — and communities that will soon be lost.