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.

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.

September 8 – October 9, 2011: Garage Sale: Installation by Joel Armstrong
• Closing reception: Friday, October 7, 5:30-7:30pm

Rusted paintings for "Garage Sale" installation, Sept 8 thru October 9th, at sUgAR gallery in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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.

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.

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.

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

Just examples of wire portraits: many more are available to see.