Over the holidays we will be highlighting a number of members of Buffalo Society of Artists (BSA), so that you might support them by purchasing original works of art. Thanks to Paul Rybarczyk at BSA for helping me put these together. Visit the BSA website to learn more about the institution – one of the oldest continually operating arts organizations in the country. Next up on our list is artist Patti Harris:
Originally from Buffalo and now living in Fort Erie, Canada, I have been doing collage and assemblage for over 20 years.
Each of my pieces of art is a one-of-a-kind assemblage or collage. I am inspired by industrial design, natural materials and vintage objects. Putting a variety of materials together, in old boxes, in frames, in and on foundry patterns and old wood typifies much of my work.
Each year for the past few years, I have focused on one main theme and have disciplined myself to stay on it for a minimum of nine months. This year I continue to look at the old and the new combined. I have been using old maps and wood moldings, combining them with new boards and embellishments.
This year’s focus has also led me to work with wood, which is a wonderful memory from my childhood as my father owned a lumberyard. Just the smells, the feel and the beauty of the wood enthralls me. I have purchased three new saws and love the experimentation I am able to do with them.
The focus of this work has been on the ‘where’ we have been and where we might go. Not literally of course, but as an idea to transport me and the viewer to the myriad of places and also how we look at places. I use a variety of maps, including topographical, aeronautical, soil, rainfall, etc. because of their beauty, colors and design. Combined with the newer papers, vintage maps and ephemera that I use as well as other embellishments, I enmesh myself into the work.
My newest map series work is available during this holiday season at Art Dialogue Gallery/Western NY Artists Group, 1 Linwood Ave, Buffalo, NY and also at 464 Gallery, located at 464 Amherst St. Buffalo, NY. It also can be viewed on my website at www.pattiharris.com.