One Body, A wire based Installation
2010
Drawing, Fine Arts, Visual Arts
A collaborative installation by Joel Armstrong and the John Brown University art department. (2007) "The body is a unit, though made up of many parts; and though all it’s parts are many they form one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 More to come, soon. Joel
As an installation artist, the entire gallery becomes is my canvas. Installation art goes far beyond the aspect of viewing, but also is meant to be experienced. As an artist, my job is to offer something real and honestproviding a familiar door through which to enter.
My installations have always been somewhat interactive, allowing audiences to become personally involved with the work. The thought of allowing the work to be more collaborative in nature, allowing others to participate in this exhibition has helped create work that was fresh, free flowing while providing the viewer with many different entry points. The piece has no beginning or end.
What I am offering is an intimate (one body) portrait of the art department. As you view the show, you will find photos of those that participated, a short handwritten statement about their object, vases that are arranged with wire profiles of the students, faculty and staffeach as unique as flowers on a vine. The music you hear is a compilation of the students favorite songs that they were willing to share, and finally there is an image on the wall of a figure, made up of rusted wire representations of each of their objects. This is representation of One Body
This is the "body" made up of wire drawings of John Brown University art students "special objects". Each student had their object and profile created out of wire. Almost 100 students and faculty participated.
- Side view close up of the "one body" image
- Display of the "rust" painting that is derived during the actual rusting process of the wire art.
- Example of "rust" painting of one of the wire images.
- Another example of "rust" painting of one of the wire images.
- Part of the walls surrounding the installation that display photos (copyright Neal Holland, 2011) of each of the participants and their object. Below each of the photos is a handwritten description by the student of the importance and sentiment of that object.
- One of several grouping of vases that hold the participants wire profile.
- Two examples of the portraits in vases, representing how the students grow both creatively and spiritually within the four years of our program.
- All Stars, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 20 x 16"
- Violin, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 24 x 16"
- Camel, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 18 x 12"
- Cowboy Boots, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 18 x 22"
- Flower, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 16 x 16"
- Electric guitar with stickers, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 22 x 22",.
- Missionary Sandals, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 20 x 16"
- Ninja Turtle, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 22 x 24"
- Nurse Tattoo, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 22 x 24"
- Polaroid Camera, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 22 x 22"
- Tea pot, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 22 x 16"
- Kurt's Trombone, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 24 x 22", Sold
- Sandals and Feet, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 20 x 22", Sold
- Kurt's Profile, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 10 x 12", NFS
- Miriam's Profile, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 10 x 12", NFS
- Sue's Profile, rusted baling wire drawing, approx 10 x 12", NFS
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There were 3 different kind of items for sale at the gallery installation. 1. garage sale items. 2. Wire drawings of the items. 3. Rust paintings of the items.Drawing, Fine Arts, Storytelling2011 -
I had a 3 years grant from John Brown University to put together this installation piece. The concept was purchasing items from garage sales, and collecting stories about those objects. I "redeemed" these items and stories as I created wire drawings and rust paintings from the objects. The installation took the form of an actual garage sale, along with signs, many items, and a full size garage inside the gallery space. The inside of the garage was filled with the wire drawings, and extra gallery space held the items and rust paintings.Drawing, Metal Working, Painting2011 -
Wire drawings and rust based paintingsFine Arts, Video Arts2011 -
I've been planning the installation for 4 years through a grant provided me by John Brown University. Ive been purchasing items at garage sales and visiting with the sellers about the items they have in their sale. From the items I purchased, I have created wire drawings, and rust paintings in sort of a redemptive story. All items have stories connected with the titles. The exhibition will include all the items I have purchased, plus the artwork—the installation will include a full size garage in the gallery space and an all day garage sale event for the garage sale items and closing reception for the artwork, bringing together two unique crowds.Installation art, wire drawing, Garage Sale2011 -
September 8 – October 9, 2011: Garage Sale: Installation by Joel Armstrong
• Closing reception: Friday, October 7, 5:30-7:30pmInstallation Art, wire drawing, Drawing2011 -
Rusted paintings for "Garage Sale" installation, Sept 8 thru October 9th, at sUgAR gallery in Bentonville, Arkansas.Fine Arts, Painting, Visual Arts2011 -
After being diagnosed with Bipolar while going to grad school, the combination of medication and amplified activity led me to this image of what it felt like to be bipolar. What people see, and what they don't understand.Fine Arts, Installation Art, Visual Arts2010 -
Although presented many times, finally exhibited as a collaborative piece combining the work of Neil Ward. Though a personal interpretation of family, the piece is quite approachable and connects well with the audience.Drawing, Fine Arts, Visual Arts2010 -
Memories of night fishing with my father and brother in Corpus Christi, Texas. Always dreamed of what it was like underneath the boat, this answered my question. First and only installation my father ever saw.Installation Art, Fine Arts, Visual Arts2010 -
Just examples of wire portraits: many more are available to see.Drawing, wire drawing2010
