"Dougherty's works allude to nests, cocoons, hives, and lairs built by
animals, as well as the manmade forms of huts, haystacks, and baskets,
created by interweaving branches and twigs together. Many of his works look
'found' rather than made, as if they were created by the natural force of a
tornado sweeping across the landscape. He intentionally tries for this
effortless effect, as if his creations just fell or grew up naturally in
their settings."
- Linda Johnson, Curator
- Linda Johnson, Curator
Artist Biography
Combining his carpentry skills with his love for nature, Patrick Dougherty
began to learn more about primitive techniques of building and to experiment
with tree saplings as construction material.
In 1982 his first work, MapleBodyWrap was included in the North Carolina Biennial Artists' Exhibition sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Art. In the following year, he had his first one person show entitled, Waiting It Out In Maple at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His work Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His work quickly evolved from single pieces on conventional pedestals to monumental scale environments which required saplings by the truckloads.
In 1982 his first work, MapleBodyWrap was included in the North Carolina Biennial Artists' Exhibition sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Art. In the following year, he had his first one person show entitled, Waiting It Out In Maple at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His work Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His work quickly evolved from single pieces on conventional pedestals to monumental scale environments which required saplings by the truckloads.
