What is an Assemblage? And Why Do I care?

| JP Dawes Artist

I belong to this public group on Facebook Assemblage & Collage Art Showcase. The administrator is Mark Groaning. I am copying with permission what he wrote explaining what an assemblage is. Hopefully this will help my followers understand why I create what I create.

Assemblage Art is a form of three-dimensional artwork that involves the arrangement and combination of various found objects, often every day items or discarded materials, to create a new and unique composition. Creatives who practice “Assemblage Art” gather disparate elements and assemble them into a cohesive whole, often incorporating elements of sculpture and collage

Assemblage art is inherently three-dimensional, as it involves the physical arrangement of objects in space. or installations.

Creativity and expression: Artists often use assemblage as a means of expressing creativity and individuality. The process allows for a wide range of interpretations and encourages unconventional thinking.

Recycling and repurposing: Assemblage art often involves recycling and repurposing discarded items, giving new life and meaning to objects that might otherwise be considered obsolete.

Found objects: Creatives use objects that are not traditionally considered art materials. These items can range from everyday items like buttons, pieces of wood, old tools, wire, magazines, to the more unconventional materials.

A Good Day at Yard Sales

| JP Dawes Artist

It was city wide garage sales in Mountain Home starting today. It was rainy so we weren’t sure how many would be open. The Lutheran church has 2 sales a year and that’s inside so we knew they would be open and running. I love a sale that figures everything is someone else’s treasure. Since I am on the look out for assemblage art materials I was in luck. The pictures below are what I bought. I’m in love with the oriental paper fans. I broke the bank and spent a total of $2.75.

It started with a funky empty box

| JP Dawes Artist

from the Goodwill store. It was too good to pass up. I saw possibilities. And so it began. It had a closed in front with a tiny gate that opened. I couldn’t get my hand inside so the first thing I did was cut the front out to open it up. Then I could see the beginnings of a shrine.

Tiny mirror tiles on the inside floor and back wall. Painting the little Buddha for the inside. Glueing brass nails and a medallion on the top. It was coming together. I needed to paint the case to bring out the little carvings of flowers and vines.

I was waiting for an order of silver leaf and gold leaf to arrive. I was so happy when it arrived. I’ve never used it before so of course I watched a lot of online videos about it. It all looked so easy! Well let me tell you it is not easy to work with! I was still pleased with the finished look of aged, crinkled precious metals. The final finish was to use black furniture wax on the entire piece. It looks like I envisioned so it was worth it.

Shopping for Bits and Bobs

| JP Dawes Artist

Assemblage art, mixed media sculpture takes a lot of stuff. A large variety of stuff. Using my artist’s eye I look for specific kinds and sizes of stuff. It really is more than just buying a bunch of things or even collecting them from other sources. If it doesn’t speak to my inner artist it won’t be used and is just stuff that becomes clutter. These are the things I bought today for sculptures. You can see what most of it is. On the little baggy are teeny tiny blown glass elephants that I already know what they will be used with. The wooden clock case will be used in a shrine and the dial face will be saved for just the right sculpture.