Stripped Down for Love: Artist Goes Commando to Fund Engagement Ring
In a bold and unconventional move, a Maryland performance artist is baring it all—well, almost all—to fund an engagement ring for the love of his life.
Meet Ham, a 30-year-old artist who met his dream girl, Alma, seven months ago. Since then, he has been taking to the streets in his skivvies, hoping to raise enough cash to pop the question and spend forever with her.
“Alma is incredible,” Ham shared. “She does what she loves every day, training horses. What I admire most about her is the respect she commands from her animals and the care she gives them. I’m a farm boy at heart, so I’m definitely a sucker for a horse girl.”
However, engagement rings can be pricey, and like many artists, Ham isn’t exactly swimming in cash. To tackle this challenge, he kicked off his unique fundraising initiative in January, traveling to various cities, including Berlin, London, and most recently, New York City.
“What I’ve learned from this social experiment is that the institution of marriage is one of the most powerful in the world,” Ham explained. “A gallery owner in London told me that if I were asking for money to feed myself, no one would help. But when it comes to love, people are more willing to contribute.”
On March 26, Ham stood on a small box at the corner of East Houston and Lafayette streets in NoHo, braving the cold in nothing but his underwear and a pair of socks. Ironically, he was just a stone's throw away from a massive Calvin Klein underwear billboard.
With a sign reading “Engagement Ring Savings Fund,” he shared his Venmo information for anyone feeling generous enough to donate. But this isn’t just about raising money; Ham insists it’s also a form of art.
“It’s a social commentary on the disconnect between what we accept in advertising and what we’re comfortable with in society,” he said, referring to his project titled “Platforms.”
“If people are upset about me being in my underwear, I can just point to the Calvin Klein ad across the street,” he added. “How can you be mad at me for being in my underwear when there’s a 50-foot tall man in his underwear right there?”
Ham plans to return to the same corner in New York City from April 29 through May 4, setting up shop each day from noon to 8 p.m. He’s optimistic about his fundraising efforts, hoping to buy a ring this summer that will be the biggest rock he can afford.
“I’ve been approached by a few jewelry makers who are interested in using a design I’ve come up with that will hopefully suit Alma perfectly,” he said, keeping the details under wraps for now.
While Ham is tight-lipped about how much he has raised so far, he did mention that most contributions are single dollar bills, though he occasionally receives a $50 or $100 note. “It’s a true crowd-sourced ring!” he exclaimed.
Alma, who trains fox hunter horses, has nothing but praise for Ham. “He’s a really great guy who treats me well and embraces my adventurous spirit,” she said. “I fell in love with how bold he is in what he does.”
