Elaine Rado Assemblage Art
Original Art
kittie assistants
I grew up in Connecticut and studied Studio Art at SUNY Binghamton (now Binghamton University) with a focus on drawing and etching. After a year of travel I returned to school to study Art Therapy at Lesley College and worked in that field for 8 years at a state psychiatric hospital. Throughout that time, I took courses in a variety of media, changing focus every three years and never feeling really satisfied with my work. In 1986 I moved to Chicago to work towards a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. I began playing with electronic parts and images when life slowed down a bit in 1990, making broaches which I gave away or sold. Stymied by limitations of the media and size, I moved on to metal smithing, and then a number of other art forms. My creative energy, however, went into my professional work as a therapist for the next 20 plus years. But I always was collecting images, hoping someday to find a purpose for them.”
In 2018, I decided to start taking apart old electronics again, this time working on a larger scale, building 3-D Assemblage art pieces in shadow boxes. Once again, I used the electronic parts and my collection of images. I love taking things apart, finding this a welcome contrast to my work as a psychotherapist as I don't have to put them back together again. I also find the experience similar to collecting seashells, something I have done since my childhood. I never know when I will find a treasure inside these electronics. And it’s free!
I shifted from shadow boxes to old frames from thrift stores after about one year. I acknowledge that this may have some meaning but try not to analyze my work or my process.
I thank the friends and neighbors who have cleaned out their attics and cellars to find old electronics for me to use. I created this website to put my work out there into the universe. I hopes you enjoy them as much as I do.
