To progress 'hand over fist' is to perform the task at hand so rapidly that it may appear effortless, at times even overwhelmingly so. From the nautical British description of sailors climbing a rope, done 'hand over hand', the adapted phrase is an Americanism most commonly used to refer to money – to making it, which, in a speculative economy, can translate as quickly into spectacular and sudden loss. Hand Over Fist is the title of the exhibition in which Zagursky's gas canister and embroidery works first appeared. They are discomfiting objects. While an embroidery needle worked against the canister's steel skin may not contain the strength to pierce its housing, the latent threat of explosion is enough to place the object in tension: energy source, artwork, or unintended weapon? Of the artist's 'pop' iconography, Sandy Di You writes:

As a heavily inked sailor himself, the majority of visuals in Zagursky’s works are taken from the world of classic sailor tattoos. His work is often playful, while still offering a profound view of issues such as contemporary culture, masculinity and body image.