Harvesting abundance
Unchecked by predators, non-native plants can upset ecological balance and reduce biological diversity.
They also offer a superabundance of useful material.
Harvesting exotic invasive vegetation from parks, alleys and
private land helps make room for the return
of native plants and associated animals.
Alien weeds provide food, medicine, fuel, chemicals, pigments, lumber, paper fibers and cordage; all of which converge here as a visual and musical gesture celebrating their bounty and inherent qualities.
Patterson Clark
Patterson Clark has been harvesting D.C.'s alien weeds for twenty years, exploring their potential for use as art, food, fuel and fiber.
He was a visual journalist for 40 years, working at the Arkansas Gazette, The Miami Herald, The Washington Post and Politico, but also served as a high school chemistry teacher, factory worker, carpenter, WWOOFer, furniture mover, research boat pilot, house painter, advertising photographer, picture framer, street musician, gas pumper, lawn mower, brick cleaner, and college art instructor.
SELECTED HONORS/AWARDS
Malofiej Gold Award (informational graphics), 2006, for "The Unboring, Illustrated True Story of the Washington Area From 1600 to Right Now."
Society of News Design silver awards for illustration, informational graphics and design.
Member of the Miami Herald team of journalists awarded the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, for coverage of Hurricane Andrew and its aftermath.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Journalism: Distinguished Service Award, 1991, for “Everyone’s Forest.”
EDUCATION:
Hendrix College: BA, Biology and Art; California Institute of the Arts: MFA, Art