Jackson Free Press

Recently, local artist Jason "Twiggy" Lott abandoned his canvases and paintbrushes for a hammer and nails. Now pursuing his art full time, Lott, 30, spends a lot of his time as a scavenger, scrounging through old parking lots, abandoned houses and any location that looks particularly "unsavory." He's searching for things that people have left behind.

His findings range from old keys to photographs to unassembled furniture. For Lott, the discarded and the forgotten has a beauty that naturally lends itself to the creative process. These objects become like puzzle pieces that Lott tweaks and remakes to combine and create what he calls assemblages.

Lott, a Jackson native, often imagines that these assemblages have been created by an imaginary third person and that they are someone's keepsake box or shrine to their past. One piece, entitled "The Happiest Days of Our Lives," gives off a palpable nostalgic vibe. Examining it makes you feel almost intrusive, like you're peeking into someone else's memories.

In an old wooden drawer, black and white photographs sit next to a set of rusted keys, and there are more objects strategically placed below, including a spoon and a broken thermometer. Separately these objects seem insignificant, but Lott combines them in a way that gives them new life and a new story.

Examination is exactly what Lott had in mind when he created his new pieces. Some have small doors or drawers that viewers can touch and explore. Adding this extra element of interaction to the work makes it feel slightly forbidden, while simultaneously allowing the viewer to form his or her own unique connection with the art.

The assemblages have also allowed Lott to step away from two-dimensional canvases and explore his attraction to the tangible. "I've always been fascinated with physical objects that exist but you're not sure why they exist," he says.

The themes of religion and alchemy unite the pieces. The focal points of a few of the pieces, including "Jesus and His Most Sacred Heart," are religious figures from holy cards. Lott's interest in religion, specifically Catholicism, stems from his fascination with ceremony.

"I really like the ritual aspect of anything. Making art is very ritualistic for me, and there's a fine line between obsession and ritual," he says.

Lott's alchemist alter ego is present in "Alkemie de Lamour." An assortment of tiny keys dangles over a collage of pictures, surrounded by mysterious small vials. "Alkemie" is what you would imagine a mad scientist to have stored in a secret closet, a piece of his life that he likes to emotionally absorb in small doses.

Lott has created 16 pieces in this assemblage style, and now, he is experimenting with ways to combine his painting with the assemblages. His completed assemblages and future combination pieces will be featured in Rymer Gallery in Nashville this September.

These pieces may not meld neatly into a posh sitting room. They're quirky; they're intriguing; and they emit a unique balance of the rustic with the romantic, without being abrasive or maudlin.

Lott's newest work is currently on display at Fischer Galleries (3100 North State St.). For more information visit http://www.jasontwiggylott.com.