My Art
Curtis Pittman - Artist
I am deeply committed to enhancing the built environment for humanity through the transformative power of art. My creative process begins with a deep exploration of place, its physical form, cultural narratives, and social fabric. Each site tells a story, and it’s this uniqueness that fuels my inspiration. My work seeks to embody those layers of meaning in sculptural form, translating the essence of a place into something tangible and lasting.
Nature is an enduring source of fascination for me. I find beauty in its order, its chaos, and the balance between the two. Much like ecosystems, my sculptures are composed of individual structural elements that come together to form a cohesive whole, greater than the sum of their parts. This connection to nature is not just aesthetic, but deeply spiritual. I am inspired by the rhythms of the earth and our shared existence within it. The natural characteristics of a site, light, texture, topography, and ecology are integral to my creative response and play a vital role in shaping the final work.
My goal with every project is to create work that contributes meaningfully to the vitality of life and community. These installations are more than objects; they are landmarks of collective memory and aspiration. They stand as permanent representations of the values, dreams, and identity of the people and places they inhabit. Words like innovation, curiosity, hope, and transformation are often associated with my work, and I carry those values into each piece I create. Above all, I believe in the power of art to bring people together, to connect them socially, spiritually, and intellectually. Creating shared experiences that elevate and unify is my greatest reward.
Professional Experience
My professional background in both art and architecture informs my desire to create work that is meaningful, contextual, and responsive to its environment. After earning my architecture degree from Penn State University in 2004, I worked with design teams in New York City and Portland, Oregon, contributing to theaters, performing arts centers, and healthcare facilities.
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of learning from influential mentors, including James Wines, Dennis Oppenheim, and Ed Carpenter. In 2011, I joined Ed’s studio full-time, collaborating on seven large-scale public art projects over five years. His blend of artistry and business acumen had a lasting influence on my path.
Since launching my full-time art practice in 2015, I’ve completed eight public art projects, including six six-figure commissions. While my work has centered on large-scale, exterior installations that serve as public landmarks and personal expressions of discovery, I’m increasingly drawn to opportunities that explore a wider range of scales and settings, including interior environments and more intimate, site-specific commissions.
Project Team
My studio team brings together a deep commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and creative discovery. Fabricator Harold Combs contributes over forty years of experience and an exceptional capacity for problem-solving. His precision, ingenuity, and attention to detail ensure that every project is executed with the highest level of build quality and integrity.
Nathan Jenkins, our Creative Technologist, bridges art and innovation through his exploration of kinetic, generative, and interactive systems. His expertise transforms sculptural form into dynamic, evolving experiences that respond to their environment and engage the public in new ways.
Together, Harold, Nathan, and I share a relentless curiosity by constantly seeking to advance our methods and elevate the role of public art within the built environment. From the earliest stages of design, we approach each project as an opportunity to reimagine how art, technology, and architecture can converge to create spaces of excitement, connection, and wonder.