Unnatural Nature

Patrick Dougherty is best known for his sculptures that break down over time. You
may have seen one of his temporary works without realizing it. Built primarily from
tree saplings woven together, each sculptures is approximately a three-week construction
project where Dougherty and his group of volunteers carefully create the
habitat or environment of this a tangled web of all natural materials. Because the
sculptures are made of organic matter they disintegrate, break down and fall apart,
becoming part of the landscape once again. Most people see habitats and shelters in
his work – which is what many of them are meant to be – but “castles, lairs, nests
and coccoons” isn’t what usually comes to mind. In an interview with Dougherty for
the New York Times, Penelope Green discusses his only permanent work and the
origin of his interest in what is referred to as Stickwork, now available through
Princeton Architecture Press.
Patrick Dougherty has made over 200 sculptures in the 25 years that he has been
creating Stickwork. But his construction work began when he was 28, working for
the Air Force in the health and hospital administration. He decided to buy property
in North Carolina and build his own house from the materials on the site. Collecting
fallen branches, rocks and old timber, Dougherty was able to construct his home, in
which he still lives with his wife and son, with a few additions. By 36, Dougherty
decided to return to school for sculpture and attended the art program at the