Community Art

"Ain't Misbehavin'"

Patrick Doughtery

image by Gallery Up

The temporary sculptural installation “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was created by Patrick Doughtery over the course of three weeks in March 2010 in Rock Hill, SC. Doughtery’s natural wood sculptures have been shown all across the United States as well as in Europe and Asia. Doughtery has also served as Artist in Residence at many Universities and Museums all over the country.

Doughtery’s work is funny and off beat in nature while giving a nod to more serious and primitive means of building shelter for survival. His sculptures are created out of tree limbs and saplings and this use of such a common material lends itself quite well to public accessibility. Not only do the materials invite viewers to experience the works of art, but Doughtery himself invites viewers to be a part of the creative process.

Tom Stanley and Shaun Cassidy lending a hand

image by Gallery Up

Winthrop students help Doughtery

image by Gallery Up

The tedious task of weaving tree branches together for weeks on end is a task that Doughtery is more than willing to share. It is not simply that he wants to delegate the hard work, but rather he understands that when community members work together in the creative process, they feel that they are a part of the work of art. After people from the area work together for a few minutes or a few weeks it is no longer a sculpture some artist made and dropped off in their town….it is their sculpture.

image by Gallery Up



image by Gallery Up

This project was funded by the ACE (Artists in Civic Engagement) Projects at Winthrop University and The Arts Council of York County, The Rock Hill Old Town Association, Gallery Up and Winthrop University all partnered together to make this project come to life. This rallying of groups around one cause along with the welcome participation of artists, students, and community members embodies the idea of “community”.

All images courtesy of Gallery Up. www.galleryup.com

View all of Gallery Up's photos documenting the entire process here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/galleryup/

View more of Patrick Doughtery's work at www.stickwork.net