ASSEMBLAGE
Objects carry memory. Wager's assemblages bring disparate materials into conversation -- industrial, organic, worn, precise -- until something new and irreducible emerges.
Abundance - Inspired by a state of richness and implying more than enough. Cast stainless steel, wood, stone, gold frame. 24” x 16” x 16”. 2018
Ancestral Link - Inspired by natural elements to create a symbolic crest. Wood, stones, saw blades, steel, metal screens, rusty steel. 30’ x 17.5” x 5.5”, 1986
Attack - Feeling assaulted by current events. 20” x 23” x 6”. Plasma cut steel, wood, vintage tv tubes, sanding disc pads, brass, McCann daughter pin, cast steel. 2026 20” x 23” x 6”, 2026
Attack - Feeling assaulted by current events. 20” x 23” x 6”. Plasma cut steel, wood, vintage tv tubes, sanding disc pads, brass, McCann daughter pin, cast steel. 2026 20” x 23” x 6”, 2026
Axis - Inspired by the rotation of forms. Vintage organ parts, cardboard cash register, cardboard spools, plasma cut steel, canvas. 20.25” x 19.5” x 6.5”, 2018
Baked - Inspired by the vintage bread pan found in the center of this piece. Wood, boxes and oval forms, cast stainless steel. 38.5” x 9 ¾” x 5”. 2013.
Balance - Inspired by the meditative state of being at peace. Wood, steel, paint. 10” x 10” x 2”. 2019.
Between the Two - Inspired by being stuck between two opposing forces. 8’ x 12” x 13/4”. 2022
Bove - Commissioned by the Boves. Inspired by equality in relationships. Wood pattern pieces, oak frame, vintage metal, glass gem. 20’ x 48 ¾” x 6.5” 2025 (in a private collection)
Broken Promises - A failed commitment served as the inspiration for this piece. Wood patterns, steel, clay, rocks, wire, painting, beads, vintage barn beam spike. 16” x 12” x 19”. 2025
Brothers Three - Inspired by a photo negative that reminds me of my three younger brothers. Brass frames, vintage photo negative, wood, steel, window screen, horse shoe nails. 24” x 15” x 4.5” 2019.
Bullets & Abscess - The outcomes of injuries served as the inspiration. Bronze, steel, wood, copper circuit board, beads, carbon. 12” x 12” x 2” 2025
Calibrate -A drive for precise outcome & measurements is the inspiration for this piece. Vintage calipers, wood patterns, rusty steel, paper, electrical components, brass hinges, photo, pocket watch frame. 22” x 42” x 6”, 2014
Caliper - The concept is rooted in the measurement of historical objects. Wood frames, vintage wooden box, rusty steel, calipers. 11” x 14” x 4”, 2013
Collage - The inspiration for this work originated from the interplay and contrast between form and shape. Electrical components, paper, steel. 12” x 8” x 2”. 2016
Confined -The work draws inspiration from the sensation of being constrained, restricted, or hindered in movement, activity, or self-expression. 10” x 8” x 1. Copper, steel, circuit board, cast stainless steel, wire. 2014
Confinement - This larger version of confinement draws inspiration from the sensation of being constrained, restricted, or hindered in movement, activity,or self-expression. Vintage mailing boxes, various items inside each box.( bird skull, steel, rust, pebbles, roots, bark, medical injection tool, brass, etc. 28” x 36” x 3.5”. 2014
Crazed - The design of this piece is derived from glasses that possess a frantic or agitated appearance. Stainless steel coils, rusty steel, copper, cardboard, paint, commercial glasses. 20” x 8” x 3”. 2021
Decoy - A visual technique used to direct the viewer's attention to a specific part of the composition. Copper plate & tubing, circuit board, electronic components, mattboard, paint, wood frame. 10’ x 8” x 1.5” 2014
Deep Within - A meditative state of looking inward. Wood frame, copper wire, red wire, circuit board, black stone. 8” x 12” x 2.5” 2022
Deep Within - A meditative state of looking inward. Wood frame, copper wire, red wire, circuit board, black stone. 8” x 12” x 2.5” 2022
Detain - Inspired by the idea of restraining or restricting freedom of movement. Vintage wooden box, metal strainer box, measuring stick, cast stainless, steel coil. 16” x 8.5” x 4.5”. 2014
Detention - Ones’ experience of punitive incarceration. Wood, electronic components, aluminum, silica ore. 12” x 9” x 3.5” 2025 ( in a private collection)
Dismiss - To address and resolve problems by sweeping them away. Copper plates, Copper encased brush, electrical components, plasma cut steel. 8” x 8” x 1”. 2020 (in a private collection)
Displaced Person - Self portrait depicting a time of intense ankle pain where I attempted to “Abandon the body - rescue the brain”. Cast self portrait mask, stainless steel coils, brass wings, wood spikes, drift wood, vintage wood barrel, manikin form, steel toe boots, deer rib bones, brass, vintage eye glasses. Overall 6’ x 2’ x 2’. 1990
Displaced Person - Self portrait depicting a time of intense ankle pain where I attempted to “Abandon the body - rescue the brain”. Cast self portrait mask, stainless steel coils, brass wings, wood spikes, drift wood, vintage wood barrel, manikin form, steel toe boots, deer rib bones, brass, vintage eye glasses. Overall 6’ x 2’ x 2’. 1990
Encaustic Channels - The transitional spaces linking different elements. Encaustic wax, metal wire. 8” x 8” 1.5”. 2022
Enfold - Inspired by the concept of hugging or enclosure. Copper, brass screening, electrical components, plasma cut steel. 8” x 8” x 1.5” 2020 (in a private collection)
Enigma - Inspired by puzzling concepts. Wood, copper, cast bronze. 8” x8” x1.5” 2020
Escape -.A breakaway concept served as the inspiration for this piece. Plasma cut steel, wood, mica, stainless ring.8” x 8” x 1.5”. 2020 (in a private collection)
Expose - To uncover, reveal or make visible that which is hidden.This is one of the pieces in the Covid series. Vintage camera equipment, cardboard tubes, stainless steel, beads, silica ore. 16.5” x 20” x 4”. 2020
Extraction - The inspiration comes from the idea of subtraction or removing from a larger area. Wood, screen, rusty steel, electrical components. 13.5” x 13” x 9” 4.25”. 2025
Fall Out - Driven by the lasting impact, outcome, or resulting set of consequences. Wood, bronze, cast stainless steel, mild steel. 12” x 24” x 4” 2018
Finding Center - Drawing inspiration from the practice of finding and maintaining a centered, meditative state of mind. Wood, copper, steel, aluminum, bronze. 15” x 7” x 2.25” 2019
Focus - Drawing inspiration from the practice of finding and maintaining a centered, focused meditative state of mind. Wood, brass, copper, vintage paper clip, plasma cut steel. 10” x 8” x2”. 2019
Formula - Inspired by a research chemist friend. I created a specific, prescribed combination of objects to invent this composition. Wood, steel, slips of paper from a chemist friend, stones, rusty steel, wire, bronze, electrical components. 12” x 12” x 2”. 2018
Four Parts - This piece illustrates the transformation from a cohesive, solid shape to a fragmented arrangement of elements. Wood, stone, copper, brass, electrical components, stainless steel ring, steel, mica. 16” x 6” x 1.5”. 2014
Glare / Entwined - Inspired by the glowing sunset. Vintage wood box, metal box, electrical component, plasma cut steel, painting. 9” x 12” x 5.” 2016
Grandma Brown’s Christmas - Inspired by the remnants of my grandparent’s house after family members had taken what they wanted. Vintage wood boxes, doll, glasses, metal, avocado pit. 44” x 24” x 6” 1977
Growth Spirit - Inspired by emerging spring growth. Wood box, wood cut offs, slivers of wood, roots, rusty steel. 21” x 15.5” x 4”. 1986
Hangers On - The concept of wanting to remain a part of the whole. Plasma cut steel, electrodes,wood patterns, cast stainless steel, canvas. 14” x 14” x 1.5” 2015. (in a private collection)
Harbinger - Concept of someone or something foreshadowing the future. Wooden boxes, wood patterns, copper, thermometer, etching, stones, painted cardboard, cast bronze. 30” x 10.75” x 4.5”. 2013
Heirloom - Inspired by a family loom passed down for many generations. Vintage loom, electrical components, brass wire, wood frame and boxes. 32” x 18.5” x 11” 2014
Impact - Inspired by the influence man has on the environment. Wood, rusty can lid, brass,steel, electrical component, encaustic painting, oil painting pieces from a painter friend. 20’ x 16” x 3.5” 2025
Influencers - Inspired by Social media and the far reaching effect it has on the population. Vintage tv tubes and light bulb, avocado skins, wood. 18.25” x 12” x 4”. 2024-25
Ingredients - Concept of not knowing what is inside products. Tin box, small painting, root, wire, steel, glass gem. 9” x 12” x 1.5” 2009
Interference - Inspired by the act of obstructing an action. Wood, copper, electrical components, steel, small paper clips. 8” x 8” x 1.5”. 2020.
Junction - A study inspired by the place where two or more things intersect. Oval frames, matt board, plasma cut steel. 5” x 9” x 1”. 2023
Lead Line - Inspired by the heavy, soft, toxic material - lead. 36” x 20” x 3”.1988. (no longer available)
Lights Out - One from the covid series indicating death. Vintage framed image, wood, metal box, thermometer, plasma cut steel, paint, brass. 15.25” x 14.5” x 2.5”. 2021
Line Dancers - Inspired by dance movements. Canvass, steel, electrical components, bronze. 10” x 10” x 1” 2009
Linked - Elements that are physically connected. Wood, steel, section of a chain. 9” x 6” x 2”. 2024
Notebook - Inspired by Elmer’s collection of electronic components. Vintage black notebook, electronic components, tape, cardboard. 14” x 24” x 2”. 2014
Old Glory - Inspired by those who have fought and died for the USA. Bullet casings, steel, wire, clay head, steel wool, wire basket, electrical components, gems. 22” x 10” x 4.” 2010
On the Edge - Inspired by the concept of being extremely tense, nervous or on the brink of discovering something new. Framed and matted, rusty steel, copper, stainless plate,roots, wood, cast stainless, glass marbles. 17” x 23” x3” 1994. (in a private collection)
Open Face - Using scrap pieces of wood, this face emerged. Wood, 16” x 10” x 3” 2010
Overflow - Inspired by the concept of being overwhelmed and spreading beyond set limits. Vintage wood frame, plasma cut steel, stainless steel, paper, photo, slides dice, chalk, wire. 43” x 20.5” x 6.5”. 2014
Paper / Rock / Wire - Composition inspired by showing a sense of space with unrelated materials. 18” x 24” x 2” 2009
Point of View - Composition exploring spatial relationships of distant view vs. macro view. Painted cardboard, electrical components, roots, glass beads. 16” x 12’ x 2” 2009
Raw Nerves - Exploring the concept of being stressed out. Wood, copper, steel, electric circuit board, wire, brass. 12” x 8” x 3” 2022
Raw Nerves - Exploring the concept of being stressed out. Wood, copper, steel, electric circuit board, wire, brass. 12” x 8” x 3” 2022
Recollection - Inspired by the act of recalling memories. Wood pattern piece, brass, bronze frame and spill, paper clips, painting, photo negative, canvass. 12” x 14” x 4”. 2011
Resistors - Inspired the concept of resisting but penetrating a form. Vintage wooden box, cardboard, wood pegs, resistors, paint, beads. 5” x 7” x 4”. 2009
Root Bound - Inspired by growth, overgrowth and decay. Wood slices, roots, wood blocks, rings of bark, cardboard. 22” x 14’ x 3”. 2024
Scalped - Inspired by the act of being severely defeated. Wood pattern pieces, grass ring, water buffalo horns & tails, antlers, wire, canvass, window screen. 60” x 32” x 8”. 2022
Scripted - Inspired by cursive writing. Vintage metal box, clay, letter written in cursive, buttons, bronze, steel, pen nibs. 12” x 16” x 7.5” 2010
Scripted - Inspired by cursive writing. Vintage metal box, clay, letter written in cursive, buttons, bronze, steel, pen nibs. 12” x 16” x 7.5” 2010
Secrets - Inspired by vintage buttons and what they may have held together. Thrown clay, wood, spools of thread, vintage buttons. 12” x 6” x 2.5”. 2019
Seeking Solitude - Concept of looking for peace and quiet. Wood, metal, cast stainless steel, matt board, needle point frame. 24” x 12” x 5.75”. 2024
Self Portrait - Vision Shock - Self-portrait after discovering an eye issue. Modeled clay face relief, rusty steel, glasses. 28” x 18” x 8” 1988
Silver Lining - Inspired by the darkness that transcends and asks for us to trust that the light will come again. Wood, cast stainless steel. 9’ x 6” x 1” 2023 ( in a private collection)
Silver Tree - Inspired by trees and rocks. Cast stainless steel, copper, rocks, vintage brass button, rusty steel. 35” x 24” x 4” 2012 (in a private collection)
Simple Gifts - Inspired by apertures, gaps and crevices. Balsa wood, pins, wire, steel wool. 30” x 10” x3.75”. 2010
Spatial Opposition - Concept of showing deep space within a confined frame using disparate objects. Cow bone, steel, matt board. 16” x 24” x 3” 1990.
Spatial Opposition - Concept of showing deep space within a confined frame using disparate objects. Cow bone, steel, matt board. 16” x 24” x 3” 1990.
Specimen - Inspired by the test tube holding resistors. Wood pattern pieces, vintage book cover, electrical components, canvass, matt board. 42” x 36” x 4.5”. 2014
Specimen - Inspired by the test tube holding resistors. Wood pattern pieces, vintage book cover, electrical components, canvass, matt board. 42” x 36” x 4.5”. 2014
Simple Gifts - Inspired by apertures, gaps and crevices. Balsa wood, pins, wire, steel wool. 30” x 10” x3.75”. 2010
Take Me To Church
Terminal Evidence - Inspired by that which remains. Deer antlers, cow bones, oil can, clock face, cast stainless steel, wood pattern pieces. 46” x 31” x 10”. 2019
Thermal Distribution - Inspired by the numerous ways energy is consumed. Wood boxes, thermostat, oil cans, vintage camera, carpenter’s plane, cigar box, misc, wood items. 4.5’ x 3’ x 15”. 2014
Thermal Distribution - Inspired by the numerous ways energy is consumed. Wood boxes, thermostat, oil cans, vintage camera, carpenter’s plane, cigar box, misc, wood items. 4.5’ x 3’ x 15”. 2014
Time Worn - Inspired by the resilient nature of bones and tin roofing when left to weather. Cow bones, tin roofing material. 44’ x 30” x 7”. 1986
Timeline - Concept exploring the element of time. This piece is from the covid series. Canvass, barbed wire, watch faces, plasma cut steel, stainless wire and electrical components, cardboard. 16” x 23” x 3”. 2020
Transformation - Concept of dramatic change in form. Wood pattern pieces, wood frames, wood match holder, wire basket, cast stainless steel 22” x 13.25” x 5”. 2025
Transmigrate - Exploring the concept of passing from one state to another. Wood, cast stainless steel, steel, stones. 48” x 21” x 6.” 2017 (in a private collection)
Transmit Capacity - Inspired by the transfer of communication. Electronic components, vintage drawer, wood, paint, metal clips. 13.5” x 7” x 3.5” 2015
Treescape II - Inspired by nature. Clay tree, rusty steel, steel blades, cast stainless, wood, rocks. 27.25” x 30” x 5.5”. 1991
Trickle Down - Inspired by the concept that abundance trickles down to benefit all. 25” x16” x 6.25”. 2018
Twisted Fate -Concept of not knowing outcomes. Vintage wood box, water buffalo horns and tails. 21” x 15” x 6”. 2014
Vessels - Inspired by that which holds items. Wooden bowls, electrical resistors, paint, beads, wire.21.5” x 12.25” x 3.5” . 2013
Wall of Small Assemblages - Grouping of small assemblage work.
Wall Sushi - Inspired by the neatly, organized food creations. Wood, vintage thread spools, chop sticks, pebbles, cardboard, cast stainless steel, wood bowls. 20” x 24” x 6.25”. 2020
Wheelie - Inspired by the antics of watching kids ride bikes. Electrical resistors, beads, wire, red gems, crochet hook, wooden wheels, painted matt board. 16” x 12” x 2”. 2010
Wood Mask - “ Warrior” Created from wood shop scrap wood. Wood, plastic eyes, electrical components. 16” x 16” x 3”. 2011
Woodscape - Landscape inspired with horizon line. Wood, avocado seed and stem. 18” x 15” x 3”. 1981
Woodscape - Landscape inspired with horizon line. Wood, avocado seed and stem. 18” x 15” x 3”. 1981
Work in Progress
Work in Progress