Geoff Buddie + Chris Rom
the binary project
ARTIST STATEMENT
We are a husband and wife team currently working in wood and milk paint, stoneware and porcelain, hand-felted wool, recycled rubber, metal, and other humble materials. Though seemingly disparate, the application of these medium share a laconic and modest propensity towards the expression of our concepts and vision.
Two predominant themes run through our work. The first we call minimalism in multitudes; the second is the capacity for the viewer to interact tactilely with the piece. Our concepts often involve creating collections of modest, coextensive forms - small modules that are perspicuously arranged in a grid-like fashion. Great consideration enters into the process of choosing color, angle, size, and proximity of the individual elements. When viewed independently the forms appear straightforward and uncomplicated, but it is the consequence of the enterprise that gives rise to the exponential impact that each work holds.
Building upon this theme is the potential for haptic viewer interaction. The repeated elements in most of these constructions impart a variable of change through rotation or movement revealing the potential for shadowing, reflection, and the differential impact of light. Along with physical alternation, manipulation of vantage point is also significant when navigating the multifarious aspects of these pieces. The relationships that form between the components, the directional gravity that the collection possesses as a group, as well as other distinct optical effects then reveal themselves to the viewer. While these reductive constructions have an inclination towards quiet geometric simplicity, when each piece is manipulated and positioned, it can effectuate infinite complexities and unlimited possibilities.
BIO
Chris Rom and Geoff Buddie attribute their meeting to their high school art teachers. Soon after high school they attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio and both received their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Geoff in 1992 for photography: Chris in 1994 for painting and photography). On a simple suggestion from Chris’s ceramics professor and with only three ceramics classes between them, the couple decided to open up their own pottery studio soon after they were married in 1994.
They operated and maintained this studio until 2002. At this time they decided they needed a change and, after a year-long sabbatical, they emerged with an entirely new body of mixed media artwork. Currently the couple exhibit at Fine Art and Fine Craft shows across the country. They also show their work internationally and are in public and private collections around the world.
They currently live in a stone farmhouse in rural Northwest Ohio.
AWARDS
March 2021 • President's Award, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa, FL
March 2020 • Award of Merit, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa, FL
September 2019 • Best in Show, Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY
March 2019 • Award of Merit, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa, FL
October 2018 • Best in Category, Bethesda Row Arts Festival, Bethesda, MD
February 2018 • Second Place, Coconut Grove Art Festival, Miami, FL
March 2017 • Award of Distinction, Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL
September 2016 • Third Place Mixed Media, Armonk Outdoor Art Fair, Armonk, NY
July 2016 • Award of Excellence, The Original Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI
April 2016 • Juror’s Award, Main Street Arts Festival, Fort Worth, TX
March 2015 • Best in Show, Bayou City Art Festival, Houston, TX
August 2014 • First Place, Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA
July 2014 • Award of Excellence, The Original Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI
July 2014 • Best of Mixed Media, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
September 2013 • First Prize, Mixed Media, Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY
September 2013 • First Place, Saint Louis Art Fair, Saint Louis, MO
July 2013 • Best of Mixed Media, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
March 2013 • Award of Merit, La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta, CA
February 2013 - Second Place, Coconut Grove Art Festival, Miami, FL
September 2012 - Second Place, Saint Louis Art Fair, Saint Louis, MO
September 2011 - Second Place, Saint Louis Art Fair, Saint Louis, MO
February 2010 - Second Place, Coconut Grove Art Festival, Miami, FL
September 2008 - Second Place, Saint Louis Art Fair, Saint Louis, MO
July 2008 - Award of Excellence, Bellevue Art Show, Bellevue, WA
September 2007 - Award of Excellence, Peoria Fine Arts Festival, Peoria, IL
July 2007 - Judges Selection, Cain Park Arts Festival, Cleveland, Oh
June 2007 - Best of 3D Mixed Media, Des Moines Art Festival, Des Moines, IA
March 2007 - Best of Media, CraftBoston, Boston, MA
September 2006 - Award of Excellence, Peoria Fine Arts Festival, Peoria, IL
July 2006 - Judges’ Selection, Cain Park Arts festival, Cleveland Heights, OH
June 2006 - First Place Artist Award, Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI
March 2006 - Best of Media, CraftBoston, Boston, MA
September 2005 - Second Place, Saint Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO
July 2005 - Purchase Prize, Ann Arbor South University Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI
July 2005 - Judges Selection, Cain Part Arts Festival, Cleveland Heights, OH
July 2005 - Artists’ Choice Award, Cain Park Arts Festival, Cleveland Heights, OH
June 2005 - Best of 3D Mixed Media, Des Moines Art Festival, Des Moines, IA
April 2005 - Artists’ Choice Award, CraftBoston, Boston, MA
September 2004 - First Place, Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City, MO
September 2004 - Laura Reuter Juror’s Award, Saint Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO
September 2004 - Official selection, 2004 limited edition lithograph, Saint Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO
June 2004 - Best Booth, Craftfair at Hathaway Brown, Cleveland Heights, OH