{"id":40753,"date":"2018-12-03T12:57:17","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T18:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/?p=40753"},"modified":"2019-09-26T11:36:53","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T17:36:53","slug":"process-play-and-the-public-patrick-doughertys-windswept","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/process-play-and-the-public-patrick-doughertys-windswept\/","title":{"rendered":"Process, Play and the Public: Patrick Dougherty’s Windswept"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Windswept, Patrick Dougherty working on his installation in the BYU MOA,November 13, 2018. Photography by Nate Edwards\/BYU \u00a9 BYU PHOTO 2018<\/p><\/div>\n

We\u2019ve become accustomed to a number of preconceived notions about the life of an artist; often, we picture them as colorful and eccentric, right-brained individuals, who work irregular hours, wear paint-splattered clothes, and are at the mercy of the muses, prone to sporadic bouts of creative genius. The \u201cArtist\u201d has undergone various transformations and has become an almost mythical member of society. Patrick Dougherty, however, contradicts every stereotypical assumption. From his unique educational training and awe-inspiring stickworks to his generous collaborative approach to public-art installation, Dougherty\u2019s work represents so much more than a temporary structure. Windswept,<\/em> his most recent work is certainly no exception.<\/h4>\n
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Windswept, in process,\u00a0November 15, 2018. Photography by Nate Edwards.<\/p>\n

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The work is smelled before it is seen. A strong aroma of earth and trees permeates the space at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art. Instead of using the two-dimensional lines of ink or pencil, Dougherty prefers sketching with the three-dimensional contours of willow saplings\u2014young trees that are simultaneously malleable and deterministic\u2014to create sweeping sculptural installations. \u201cThe woods are like walking into a drawing,\u201d says Dougherty. \u201cSimilarly, I think of my work as a drawing\u2014playing with the lines of the saplings but to a degree controlled by the material I\u2019ve happened to get.\u201d This construction material conjures nostalgic images of child\u2019s play in a forest full of imaginary friends and adventure and gives the pieces their whimsical and mysterious aura. The monumental scale of his work inspires a sense of awe, but is not so imposing as to discourage participation. On the contrary, in addition to inviting volunteers to help assemble the work during the installation process, Dougherty\u2019s final product always invites viewers of all ages to enter a world of pretend and move around, about, and through the sculpture.<\/h4>\n

Despite having worked with this medium for several decades, the artist continues to find ways to experiment with techniques. In Windswept, <\/em>matrices of sapling trunks and branches were laid out and woven like a textile by local volunteers. Unique constructional considerations also were made since, unlike most of his work, the piece inhabits an indoor space. This is a challenging aspect for any installation artist, but Dougherty embraces the adage \u201ccreativity loves constraint.\u201d He asks himself, \u201cWhat does this space have to offer? Windows? Walkways? Water features?\u201d and uses those elements to create an entirely new piece customized for the community and influenced by the surroundings. Inspired by the mountains, Windswept<\/em> mimics the sloping lines and crevices of the Utah landscape and is discretely anchored by sand-filled bases. While Dougherty\u2019s work is distinctive and recognizable, Windswept<\/em>\u2019s originality and creative techniques truly make it one of a kind.<\/h4>\n
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An early stage of the work, October 2018.\u00a0Photography by Nate Edwards\/BYU<\/p><\/div>\n

Part of the wisdom of his process is his acceptance of the subconscious\u2019 role in decision-making. He admits, \u201cI\u2019ve learned to live with discomfort and be aware of the small inklings that make the work what it is. Usually I have two days of \u2018What am I going to do?\u2019 But that pressure can breed creativity.\u201d He further emphasizes the importance of not shutting out the world of ideas: \u201cYou can get in other frames of mind \u2013 the creative mind. You can go and get it if you practice being in that mindset.\u201d Creativity is not just a whim, then, but an exercise, and one that Dougherty employs regularly. Rather than waiting for a stroke of inspiration, Dougherty\u2019s pattern of consistent work is what fosters a creative mentality. He demonstrates a tremendous amount of work ethic and discipline, showing up and working on a space from 8-5, seven days a week, for three weeks in a row. After one week in between, he sets to work on the next project, completing the cycle over again.<\/h4>\n

Due to the nature of his materials, Dougherty takes on a variety of fluctuating identities: sculptor, architect, illustrator, basket weaver, nest maker, gardener. The fulfillment of each of these roles is instrumental in the completion of each project. Further informing his work is the artist\u2019s diverse educational background. His studies in English at the University of North Carolina and graduate work in Hospital and Health Administration may initially seem tangential to his later education in art history and sculpture. However, according to Dougherty, \u201ceach fraction of the career is embedded and rolled into the next thing. The novel, for example, is constructed from the power of language and the layering of words, building an illusion much like a sculpture. Health administration is all about working with organizations, and I work with organizations every day\u2014cities, institutions, the public. All of this contributes to my current work. I have never gone backwards.\u201d<\/h4>\n
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Patrick Dougherty working with a volunteer on his project. Photography by Nate Edwards\/BYU.<\/p><\/div>\n

At the core of his motivations for art making is a profound understanding of the artistic purpose. \u201cArt is supposed to move you and stir your feelings. So, as an artist, you are trying to extend people\u2019s ability to feel and stir them behind the moment.\u201d This is perhaps why collaboration has become such a contributing factor in the success of his work. Dougherty\u2019s inclusion of local volunteers during the creation of Windswept <\/em>is no different than any other piece. He has always sought to make the community a part of his process and embraced the raw, untrained, unpredictable aspects of working with volunteers. \u201cThe ideas from these associations and conversations have a very real influence on your work,\u201d Dougherty says. \u201cMore often I will be discussing the piece with a house painter rather than a fine arts painter.\u201d This further encourages a sense of democracy in spaces that often have been considered \u201chighbrow\u201d and pushes back against the commodification of art.<\/h4>\n

Dougherty\u2019s credibility as a worker, sculptor, and artistic ambassador continues to have an impact wherever he goes. Not only is Dougherty providing an optimal experience for those who work with him personally, but he is paving the way for other contemporary artists down the road and dispelling many myths about the artist. The sculpture is merely an excuse to have an enormous amount of play and build bridges between artists, institutions, and the public.<\/h4>\n
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Photography by Nate Edwards\/BYU<\/p>\n

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Patrick Dougherty’s Windswept opens at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art<\/a> Friday, December 7, 2018 and continues through October 19, 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve become accustomed to a number of preconceived notions about the life of an artist; often, we picture them as colorful and eccentric, right-brained individuals, who work irregular hours, wear paint-splattered clothes, and are at the mercy of the muses, prone to sporadic bouts of creative genius. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1564,"featured_media":40755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_piecal_is_event":false,"_piecal_start_date":"","_piecal_end_date":"","_piecal_is_allday":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,3526,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40753","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exhibition_reviews","category-still-on-view","category-visual_arts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1810-89-0085.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-17 16:07:19","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1564"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40753"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40753\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40768,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40753\/revisions\/40768"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40753"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}