ALTERED ART

...from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape...We must pick out what is good for us where we can find it.

These words of Pablo Picasso reverberate through all of my work as I pull from the things that just seem to ‘show up.’

The phrase “altered art” has been added to terms such as collage, assemblage, and mixed media to describe creative work that does not fit into traditional fine art modes.

To say it as simply as possible, altered art uses an object as canvas to convey artistic expression.  It challenges the viewer’s way of looking at or thinking about an object.  It uses both two- and three-dimensional objects as both surfaces and working materials and calls on all sorts of elements of collage, assemblage, and crafting techniques.

Much of altered art selects objects that have specific associations to the artist even while the viewer may have a different association altogether.  In fact, my first tin piece developed as homage to my father who had recently passed away.  Another person might see something else.

I hope you enjoy viewing the pieces as much as I enjoyed making them.  They express what is ‘good’ for me and that may just be universal.