POLLY HARRISON
GREEN ARTIST
Re-cycle -- Re-Use -- Re-Create -- Respect for the Earth
Born 1946, Atlanta, Georgia, Polly Harrison has dedicated over thirty years to creating art from recycled materials. She continues to investigate techniques that transform society and industrial discards in ways that give the material the respect it deserves.
Her intention has always been to bring attention to environmental and conservation concerns for an Earth that suffers from dwindling natural resources, industrial abuse, agricultural misuse, and a lack of human understanding.
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She has shared her talent for creating with recycled materials with literally thousands of elementary, and high school students, educators, college and community groups through Georgia Council for the Arts, and South Carolina Arts Commission, Artists in Education Programs. She has lectured and taught in Visiting Artist Programs with Partners of The Americas, Recife, Brazil , US State Department; The City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Chastain Arts Center; Atlanta Boys and Girls Clubs, Youth Art Connection; The Fibre Arts Design Studio, Ojai, California, and other museums, galleries and art centers across the United States. |
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Her artwork has been exhibited throughout the United States, traveled to eight countries in Africa through a Whatcom Museum, Seattle, WA exhibition, Trashformations. Her exhibits at various museums, university galleries, and the Federal University of Brazil included television and news publications about her work. She was featured in the Nikkei News, Japan, for her constructions of oversized movable "Temple Blocks" made from Japanese Newspaper. |
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Eager to go to the original source of traditional technique, she traveled to Guatemala and was fortunate enough to study with a Mayan Weaver in San Antonio Aqua Callientes, where she learned back-strap weaving techniques, Mayan Symbolism in Fibre design, and natural dyeing techniques with cochineal beetles, purple fresh water snails, avocado, coffee, and other plant materials. |
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She made several trips to the Yucatan of Mexico until a Mayan Hammock-making family allowed her into their home to learn the ancient art. She returned to the States to build her own loom and make hammocks from recycled shoestring material, parachute nylon cord and cotton string that she rescued from an Atlanta Roofing Mop Factory. From the Maya people she was given an understanding of the Pantheon of Symbolism used in design and daily life, which relates to the Energies of Creation and the struggle for Life on this Earth. She found a common thread that related many of the same symbols to Cherokee, as well as other Native American and Amazon Art that she has studied and collected through the years. |
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In 1974, she published her first moon calendar, which is a graphic display chart of the lunar phases of the moon for a year. Known as "The Moon Lady" from Kenya to Kyoto, she is now in her 34th year of publication. Galleries, bookstores, Safari Hotels, Dive shops and Hotels distribute the calendars all over the world. As well, she ships to individuals directly through her website.
"The Moon has such a strong influence on the Earth's Tides, movement of her creatures, weather, farming, fishing... I wanted to be able to see the ebb and flow of Her phases," said Polly, who coordinates this one-Lunatic Operation out of her studio in Cedartown, Ga. |
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I want to thank everyone for their kindness, prayers, and caring during my recovery from Lung Cancer this year. As a Cancer Survivor, I'm grateful for every day that I have left on this Earth. Early detection is the key. Cancer is NOT necessarily a death sentence any more. The number of Survivors is growing every day. It's really true. Cancer is something you LIVE with... Cancer is like a bad neighbor that you just keep your eye on and throw rocks at when you need to. --Polly Harrison |
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Polly Harrison / P. O. Box 642 / Cedartown, GA 30125 / Telephone 678/246-0022
