Patti Harris

Base 89 is made from foundry wood and bass strings plus some wires..

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. Whether creating a collage or assemblage, I generally use these old parts that have stood the test of time; as in metal vs. plastic, wood vs. veneer, stone vs. acrylic. I apply materials somewhat ambiguous in meaning, but arranged in a well-designed manner. For me, it is all about the visual impact. The objects I choose often don’t routinely ‘go together;’ the resulting work necessitates thought on the viewer’s part. Hidden meanings, humorous twists, irony and surreal elements embody many pieces. My art clearly may mean one thing to one person and possibly something different to another. Each of us has a unique set of experiences that inhabit our perceptions and cause us to react one way or another to what we see.