Tara Shimberg
A self-taught Assemblage Artist, I am repeatedly drawn to vintage and time-worn items. I thrill at the hunt for materials in flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores, and garage sales. In my vast collection of found objects you can find fabrics, trims, millinery supplies; vintage dolls, toys, buttons, photos, game pieces, jewelry, and kitchen utensils; an array of parts from clocks, chandeliers, and typewriters; and just about any other kind of random objects.
Rarely do I start a project with a particular design plan in mind. Instead, my approach is organic and primarily spontaneous. It often begins with rummaging through my studio for objects that grab my attention or spark my imagination in that moment. It could be something as simple as an item’s shape, patina, or texture. Then the fun begins as I play with various ideas, adding and rearranging materials while thinking through any construction challenges. The process involves using tools such as my dremel, drill, plyers, screwdrivers and hammer. Also at hand are my paints, glues, and resins. Most often, I have more than one project in the works at any time.
At some point, I will intuitively know when an assemblage is finished and ready to stand on its own as a collection of unrelated objects arranged in unexpected ways.