Tom Patti

The work of American artist and designer Tom Patti (1943– ) combines his longstanding interests in art and science, whether in small-scale glass sculptures or large architectural commissions. Patti earned a BFA (1967) and an MFA (1969) in industrial design from Pratt Institute, studied perception theory at the New School for Social Research in New York in 1969, and studied glass at the Penland School of Craft in 1970. Patti also was involved with Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.), an organization cofounded by Robert Rauschenberg to foster collaboration between artists and engineers. Throughout his career, Patti has focused on nontraditional materials, such as industrial sheet glass and plastic, and has created works whose architectural qualities challenge the viewer’s sense of scale and depth. Patti established his private studio in Plainfield, Massachusetts, in the 1970s.