Justin Tuttle

Justin Tuttle was raised by a single father within a banal cultural setting in Northern California. Studying psychology and neuroscience in college he attempted to counter an environment that produced a void in his selfhood and identity. Post graduation understanding “what”, “how”, and “where”, identity exists, he struggled to answer his own praxis of selfhood. Completing his Masters of Architecture (21’), investigating the convergence between homelessness and mental illness, he discovered collage as a powerful expression of narrative. After receiving first place for his thesis work, Justin’s practice as an artist continues to grow. He has exhibited in multiple galleries throughout Oregon and Washington, has been published in multiple art magazines, and volunteers as a graphic designer for Playground Gallery, a pop-up art gallery in Portland, Oregon. Justin currently works as an architectural designer, artist, and fabrication lab manager at the University of Oregon.

Dreamer’s Flight, 2021, Collage, 12 x 12 in Next page: Stepping out of the melted bowl of soul, 2021 Collage, 8.5 x 11 in tuttle.design / Instagram: @tuttle.design

My practice begins with the necessity of catharsis. I do not have preconceived notions of what the collage piece should be beforehand. The process of discovery is intentional as an artistic method and cathartic process for me. My collection of work typically touches on topics of mental stability, discovering selfhood, political injustices, and rootedness within geographic regions, attempting to bridge concepts of self within a sociological context. I believe my collages are surrealist in nature, blending “common” seen imagery with an abstraction of an idea. In some cases, the piece requires large amounts of interpretation from the viewer, with the intention of “meaning” being created through the viewer’s own perspective. This participatory act steers away from interpreting art as “wrong or right”, but rather as they internalize it, hopefully bolstering their connection to selfhood by discovering a “meaning” for themselves.

Born to Escape, 2021, Collage, 15 x 15 in