Ham, a 30-year-old performance artist from Maryland, has been garnering attention across major cities for his unique method of raising funds to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend, Alma. His platform? Quite literally, a small box on a street corner. His attire? Just underwear and socks. His mission? To crowdsource enough money to purchase the most meaningful ring he can afford.
As originally reported by the New York Post, Ham launched this project in January, standing on street corners in major metros, such as Berlin, London and, currently, New York City. He holds a cardboard sign that reads “Engagement Ring Savings Fund,” along with his Venmo handle, inviting passersby to contribute.
Despite appearances, Ham insists this is more than a publicity stunt — it’s a performance piece titled "Platforms," intended to stir conversation about societal norms.
“It’s a social commentary on what we are comfortable with in advertising being disconnected from what we are comfortable with in society,” he explained to the Post.
He draws a sharp contrast between public discomfort with his modest attire and the towering Calvin Klein billboards nearby featuring similar garb.
While the message behind the project is layered, its goal is rooted in something simple and heartfelt: love.
Ham met Alma, a dedicated horse trainer, seven months ago and describes her as someone who inspires him with her strength, compassion and sense of purpose.
“What I love most about her is the respect she commands from her animals, and the care she gives them,” he said. “I’m a farm boy at heart, and thus a sucker for a horse girl.”
Alma, for her part, had no idea that Ham’s travels were leading toward a proposal. She described him as someone who treats her well and embraces her independent spirit.
“He’s a really great guy,” she told the Post, “and I fell in love with how bold he is in what he does.”
Ham hasn’t shared exactly how much he’s raised, but notes that most donations are small —typically single dollars — though he’s occasionally received $50 or $100 contributions.
The end result, he hopes, will be a “true crowd-sourced ring,” designed in collaboration with interested jewelers who have reached out in support of his mission.
He's currently doing his thing in New York City through May 4, standing at the corner of East Houston and Lafayette in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood known as "NoHo" from 12 pm to 8 pm daily.
In an era when engagement rings often come with financing plans and quiet savings, Ham’s journey is a reminder that love finds a way — sometimes with a little creativity, a bit of a chill and a whole lot of courage.
Credit: AI-generated conceptual image of Ham by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL-E 3.