About the Artist – Born in New York, Patricia Tobin has lived in Canada, France, Portugal and NYC. She studied at the School of Visual Arts, Parsons School of Design, Art Student's League, Empire State College, all in NYC and also as an élève libre at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. She creates expressive, stylized paintings and prints that blend figurative and geometric elements. Patricia has held many site specific, interactive installations in NYC subway stations, sidewalks, galleries, and during Miami Art Basel and other events.
While living in Canada, Patricia designed and fabricated educational kits and traveling exhibits for the National Museum of Man, Ottawa. In Portugal, she was the Art Instructor for grades K–12 at the American International School, Carnaxide. In New York City, she exhibited and sold her paintings at Fire Patrol, No. 5 Art (aka Emerging Collector Gallery) and other venues. Several items from one of her 100% off sales are part of the Nina Yankowitz Collection of Women's Art, Smith College Museum of Art. She has also taught Botanical Illustration and Communication design at Parsons School of Design and worked as a freelance illustrator and children's book designer for HarperCollins, Penguin Group and other publishing houses.
Since moving from NYC to Florida, Patricia has continued to develop her work. She has taught at the Ringling College of Art and Design and developed creative activities for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Currently she is using various materials to create new work – cut paper and wool (hooked rugs and appliqué)
Awards:
Florida Individual Artist Fellowship 2004/2005
Artist in Residence, summer 2003, City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council
About the "100% off Sales"
Between 2003 and 2007, I held many 100% off Sales in subway stations, street corners, galleries and during events in NYC, Miami, Chennai, India and Sarasota, FL. For the various “Sales," I set up welded steel or aluminum racks and then attempted to sell my items for 100% off to passers by (prices shown on tags ranged from $385.99 to $3900.00) Shoppers chose one or several items from the hundreds of items hanging on the racks. I then packaged the “sold” items for them in translucent plastic bags, with receipts and a “credit card” application, while discussing whatever came up... For the people who sent me the credit card application, I sent them a laminated "credit card" and a cut paper "car" or whichever item they had chosen. The credit card is no longer available, but you can see the "credit card application" and a "sales report" below
PDF of "credit card application" 100% off Sales>
PDF of "sales report" 100% off Sales >
I love the tactile experience of working with diverse materials to create beautiful and impractical objects; printing on the nearly weightless, translucent septic paper, contrasting featherweight prints with welded steel or aluminum and discovering new uses for common materials.
The 100% off Sales focus on notions of value. “Purchasing” a nonfunctional, undefined object ("'What is it? What do I do with it?") creates an experience – playful, absurd, perhaps thought provoking – my gift to the participants. The items “sold” are individually printed, linocut prints on septic paper with price tags sewn on and hooks created from stainless steel wire. The hand created (by me) quality of the sale items is essential, adding value to the “purchase,” however, they are primarily a vehicle for the unexpected experience.
After one "Sale” held in a NYC subway station, I received an email which reflects one of the many responses:
“One part of consumption and purchasing that brings me satisfaction is having the short-lived stimulus of something new, something that shakes up my predictable world, even just for a minute. The experience you provided last week gave me that satisfaction and excitement without being a part of the consumption machine, and with the unusual bonus of contemplation. I had fun and enjoyed showing my new things and relating the experience to my boyfriend. Thank you, Carrie Schmitz”
About the "100% off Sale" Videos
These are excerpts from the impromptu video a friend of mine shot during a 100% off Sale held during the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. My camera's microphone was not great ! – but she did a terrific job of filming the "shoppers" with the camera I had... This is the only video documentation I have of my many 100% off Sales, so despite the sound, hope this gives you an idea of what they were like.
Painting – “Fragments” series
I was first drawn to the mannequins in malls and stores by their oddness. Body parts on display – 4'' rings on top of necks instead of a head, 3 legged metal supports for legs, a pair of feet cut off at the ankles perched on top of a cube, torsos on poles, a thin metal dowel “neck” extending upward about a foot to support a cap, leaving just space for the head – the variety and nuttiness of it all. I am attracted and repelled.
I also love the materials – color and the luscious nature of paint and the resistance of the wood to the long flexible brushes I use for these paintings.
I enjoy glittery fashion & cosmetics stores and am also alarmed by commercialism and over consumption. I paint these feelings – with humor and horror. Images can convey so completely and accurately the nuances of conflict. While painting these comical and odd objects, I began to see relationships, subtle interactions and undercurrents. I became intrigued and entangled. I’m fond of them, my mannequins. I enjoyed creating a world.
I’m interested in human beings and our lifestyles – the quirky differences in our size, shape, outlook and the environments we create.
"Lost Button" – I posted signs in various locations throughout NYC, and received and responded to different emails, however, I did not receive any white buttons in the mail. Perhaps people are concerned about sharing more of their contact information? I waited close to the signs I posted for an hour or so at the various locations in NYC, and did speak to numerous people - they enjoyed the absurdity...
Here is an example of my standard response to the emails I received.
(I also always added a personalized response to what the person had written in the email to me)
Thank you for this information!
To receive your reward, please send the button to our PO address; The store, PO Box 1407, Sarasota, FL 34230. The button you found is a rare prototype that will be used to create other unique white buttons. Our company's new marketing strategy will encourage the use of these buttons instead of zippers, targeting a young audience (ages 2 -5) to encourage brand loyalty development at this crucial consumer development stage, This will ensure that our company's profit margin will continue to grow. We thank you for recovering this most important item!
As you mentioned, these were indeed traumatic circumstances and again we thank you for letting us know the whereabouts of our white button and offering a safe return. Your reward will be sent upon receipt of the button.
Thank you, Patricia Tobin, manager, the store"