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Atticus Adams

Atticus Adams

Atticus Adams is a sculptor whose work embodies the transformative power of art to create beauty, meaning, and emotional impact from industrial materials. Using mostly aluminum mesh—generally found in screen doors/windows and filters—he creates abstract pieces and installations, which sometimes resemble flowers, clouds, and other natural phenomena.

Atticus works spontaneously, feeling his way toward the objects that take shape in his mind as he shapes them almost entirely by hand. He occasionally adds color and texture to his work by applying paint or other media. “Metal mesh is a beautiful, flexible material that allows you to explore shadow and transparency in endless ways,” he says. “The material lends itself to these biomorphic shapes, which aren’t necessarily intentional. The sculptures seem fragile but are actually quite resilient—like nature itself,” he says.

Recycling—as a practice and a concept—is essential to Atticus’s work. He often uses old industrial, architectural materials to create his art. Also, he reuses his own work, turning old installations into new artworks. Transformation, of course, is at the heart of all recycling: turning one thing into another; and in his art specifically, making something functional into something aesthetic; turning rough material into gentle forms.

VIEW ALL ARTWORKS
Atticus Adams: Aeris Tarim Noire

Aeris Tarim Noire

Atticus Adams

51 x 52 in

130 x 132 cm

US$ 5,200
Atticus Adams: Cotton Candy Cumulus Marmalade

Cotton Candy Cumulus Marmalade

Atticus Adams

24 x 24 in

61 x 61 cm

US$ 2,000
Atticus Adams: Amur Confection

Amur Confection

Atticus Adams

27 x 59 in

69 x 150 cm

US$ 4,200
Atticus Adams: Cotton Candy Cumulus Sugar Plum

Cotton Candy Cumulus Sugar Plum

Atticus Adams

24 x 24 in

61 x 61 cm

US$ 2,000
Atticus Adams: Columnar I

Columnar I

Atticus Adams

35 x 10 in

89 x 25 cm

US$ 1,500
All artworks by artist



Atticus Adams, an artist specializing in sculpture, showcases the profound ability of art to craft aesthetics, significance, and evoke emotions using industrial materials. Predominantly utilizing aluminum mesh commonly found in screen doors, windows, and filters, Adams crafts abstract artworks and installations. His creations often take on the forms of flowers, clouds, and various natural phenomena.

Atticus works spontaneously, feeling his way toward the objects that take shape in his mind as he shapes them almost entirely by hand. He occasionally adds color and texture to his work by applying paint or broken auto glass. “Metal mesh is a beautiful, flexible material that allows you to explore shadow and transparency in endless ways,” he says. “The material lends itself to these biomorphic shapes, which aren’t necessarily intentional. The sculptures seem fragile but are actually quite resilient—like nature itself,” he says.

Recycling—as a practice and a concept—is essential to Atticus’s work. He often uses old industrial, architectural materials to create his art. Also, he reuses his own work, turning old installations into new artworks. Transformation, of course, is at the heart of all recycling: turning one thing into another; and in his art specifically, making something functional into something aesthetic; turning rough material into gentle forms.

Hope is at the core of his art, and may be emblematic of recycling: “Making something beautiful out of something mundane or even ugly is really what  I’m trying to do with my art,” he says. “When it’s successful, I think it shows how bleakness or blight can be replaced by (or subsumed into) its opposite. To me that’s hope, as an active, deliberate process, as well as an emotional embrace of possibility—and I think it’s reflected in the work.”

Atticus grew up in West Virginia, steeped in traditional folk art. Atticus has fond summer memories of screened-in porches and screen doors that practically dissolved the barrier between inside and outside, allowing the warmth and nature to permeate each day. This association continues to resonate in his art.

His formal art training includes stints at Yale School of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, and Harvard School of Architecture. Atticus's art has been exhibited in national institutions like The Carnegie Museum of Art and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. His awards include receiving Artist of the Year from the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in 2018. His sculptures are now found in public and private collections in the USA, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, and The Philippines.

Atticus Adams, an artist specializing in sculpture, showcases the profound ability of art to craft aesthetics, significance, and evoke emotions using industrial materials. Predominantly utilizing aluminum mesh commonly found in screen doors, windows, and filters, Adams crafts abstract artworks and installations. His creations often take on the forms of flowers, clouds, and various natural phenomena.

Atticus works spontaneously, feeling his way toward the objects that take shape in his mind as he shapes them almost entirely by hand. He occasionally adds color and texture to his work by applying paint or broken auto glass. “Metal mesh is a beautiful, flexible material that allows you to explore shadow and transparency in endless ways,” he says. “The material lends itself to these biomorphic shapes, which aren’t necessarily intentional. The sculptures seem fragile but are actually quite resilient—like nature itself,” he says.

Recycling—as a practice and a concept—is essential to Atticus’s work. He often uses old industrial, architectural materials to create his art. Also, he reuses his own work, turning old installations into new artworks. Transformation, of course, is at the heart of all recycling: turning one thing into another; and in his art specifically, making something functional into something aesthetic; turning rough material into gentle forms.

Hope is at the core of his art, and may be emblematic of recycling: “Making something beautiful out of something mundane or even ugly is really what  I’m trying to do with my art,” he says. “When it’s successful, I think it shows how bleakness or blight can be replaced by (or subsumed into) its opposite. To me that’s hope, as an active, deliberate process, as well as an emotional embrace of possibility—and I think it’s reflected in the work.”

Atticus grew up in West Virginia, steeped in traditional folk art. Atticus has fond summer memories of screened-in porches and screen doors that practically dissolved the barrier between inside and outside, allowing the warmth and nature to permeate each day. This association continues to resonate in his art.

His formal art training includes stints at Yale School of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, and Harvard School of Architecture. Atticus's art has been exhibited in national institutions like The Carnegie Museum of Art and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. His awards include receiving Artist of the Year from the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in 2018. His sculptures are now found in public and private collections in the USA, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, and The Philippines.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2021        Seeking Sanctuary, Zynka Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2021        My Hydrangea Kingdom By a Bird Bath Sea, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Pittsburgh, PA

2018         There’s a Pink Poodle in my Arcadia, The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA

                Summers of Green Apples with Salt, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA

2016        Mesh Werks, Desert Art Collections, Palm Desert, CA

2015         Shapes & Forms, Desert Art Collections, Palm Desert, CA

                Mesh Lab: The Experiments, The Mine Factory, Pittsburgh, PA

2014         Skeeter Baby and Other Specimens, Nutting Art Gallery, West Liberty University, WV

                Arcadia, BE Galleries, Pittsburgh, PA

2013          Summertime, BE Galleries, Pittsburgh, PA

                Joggling Board Summer, Orchard Windows Gallery, New York City, NY

2011         Atticus Adams - An Appalachian in Paris, Borelli- Edwards, Pittsburgh, PA

2010         My Walden, Society of Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA

2007         Atticus Adams, Europ’art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA                                  

2004         Joyland, Mineral Spring Lofts, Pawtucket, RI

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2020        110x110x110, AAP Exhibition Space, Pittsburgh, PA

2019        AAP 107th Annual, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, PA

2019        Current, Zynka Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2019        Organic Subtleties, Walker Fine Art, Denver, CO

2019          3D, Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2018        Touchstones, Cindy Lisica Gallery, Houston, TX

                How to Make Memories, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA

2017          Blue, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA

                 Group A NOW, Box Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2016          59th Annual, Chautauqua Institution, NY

                AAP 105 Show, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA

2015        Summer Show, Art Space 616, Sewickley, PA

                Screen Memories, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA

                AAP 104 Show, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH

2014        Flowers, Chautauqua Institution, NY

                An Aberrant View, Ann Street Gallery, Newburgh, NY

 

INSTALLATIONS

2020        Flora Contempo II, facebook, Pittsburgh, PA

2019        Silver Linings II, The Glass Lofts, Pittsburgh, PA

2019        From the Velveteen Closet, University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery, PA

2018        Around the Pond, Arcadia, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, PA

2017        Wall Flora, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

                Flora Contempo, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, PA

 

AWARDS

2015         Silver & Gold, WAX Jewelry Design Studio, Pittsburgh, PA

2013          Seamonkey Garden, Children’s Museum, Waterplay Room, Pittsburgh, PA

2013          Majorelle Jardin, O’Bannon Oriental Carpets - windows, Pittsburgh, PA

2012         Silver Linings, Dinette, Pittsburgh, PA

2010         Transcendental, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2009          Gestures 12, Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA

2007          STRUNG, FE Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

                Best of Pittsburgh Show, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, PA

                Olympic Installation Theatre, Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA 

2006          The Chapel, Brew House Space 101 Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

                White Room, Unblurred, Pittsburgh, PA      

 

PROJECTS

2017         In the Company of Ghosts, set and costume design, Pittsburgh, PA

                ABBEY: In the Red, Set and Costume Design, Pittsburgh, PA

                CMOA’s Material Worlds Fashion Show, designer Pittsburgh, PA

2015        412 MADE, exhibitor, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY

                Mesh Lab, Instructor, Touchstone Center for Craft, Farmington, PA

2014        Madagascar, associate set designer, Quantum Theatre, PA

2013        Progression Film Project, Pittsburgh, PA

                Solaire Casino, Manila, The Philippines

2012        “Steel Weavers” video collaboration with sound artist Robert Weis

2010         Medallions & Cloud Chains, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

                Renaissance on the Allegheny, Rensaissance Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

2008        The Goat, set design sculptures, Pittsburgh Playhouse, PA

2006        After Mrs. Rochester, ass’t set designer, Quantum Theatre, PA

2018          Pittsburgh Center for the Arts—Artist of the Year

2017          Pittsburgh Artist of the Year Nominee

2016          Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Award Nominee

2013          Anna Marie Sninsky Award, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh

2008          The Kors, Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

2008          Best In Show, Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

 

PUBLICATIONS

2018          “In the Pink—Atticus Adams,” Shady Ave Magazine

2017          “Sculpture: Artistry in Fiber—Volume 2”

2017          “Material Worlds + Atticus Adams,” Wavy Alabaster

2015          Midcentury Masterpieces, Lake Erie Living Magazine

2015          Artist and Artisans in their Inspiring Studios, Houzz.com

2015          Artists Share a Colorful Industrial Loft and Studio, Houzz.com

2014          “You Live in What?” HGTV

2014          “Emerging Pittsburgh Artists You Should Know,” Complex.com

2013          Cover Image for Powder Coating Magazine

2012          “Innovative Fiber Metal Sculptor Atticus Adams,” Eyes in Magazine

2011          “Screen-Based Sculpture Allow Artist to Create a New World,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review

2010          “Artist Creates Another World in Pittsburgh,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review

2009          “Castles In the Air—Atticus Adams,” Arts in Residene

2009          “Castles In the Air—Atticus Adams,” Interview with Spraygraphic.com

2009          Featured Artist #1, Textile Arts

2009          The Very Fiber of Great Art to be Showcased at Luke & Eloy, Examiner.com

2007          Seed Issue, Artworld Digest Magazine

 

NOTABLE COLLECTORS      

Louis Vuitton Store

Morgan Pressel, LPGA

 

TV & FILM

You People, Netflix

American Gigolo, Showtime

Grace and Frankie, Netflix

Minx, HBO

Amercian Housewife Season 5