About Mary

Baltimore County

Mary Deacon Opasik is a Catonsville artist who has devoted the last three decades to making  assemblage art with found and repurposed objects.  She received her BFA dgree in 1989 from Maryland Institute College of  Art (MICA), in Baltimore, MD.
Her work has been featured in The Huntsville Museum of Art ( AL), Chateau de Rochefort (FR), Sandy Spring Museum (MD) and Lincoln Center Crafts Festival (NY).  Ms. Opasik's art is in private and public collections and has been shown in galleries… more

Aquatica Gallery Two

AQUATICA TWO is the continuation of my series of found object wall assemblages based on oceanic life.
Included is my lastest outdoor freestanding sculpture, "On The Edge", dealing with the plight of horseshoe crabs used for scientific purposes.
The environmental impact in the oceans from global warming and human trash motivates me to create fish imagery. 

I collect mundane detritus as I walk along shores, woods, and streets that have an interesting look, feel & aura about them. When I see a connection between two random fragments in my studio, I begin to attach pieces into an assemblage resembling a fish form.  Using hand and machine tools,  I will screw, nail, pin, rivet or weld fragments together to shape the wall sculptures which have the curious look and feel of a "fish" upon completion.

 

  • Chop Fish
    Chop Fish

    Found object wall assemblage:  wood, vintage cabbage shredder parts, refrigerator fragment, knife blades, thermometer head H-15" W-24" D-4" 

  • Pin Fish
    Pin Fish

    Found object wall assemblage:  wooden oar, row of pins, aged metals, furniture parts, repurposed tools, ribbon H-12" W-25" D-2"

    A donation of a broken canoe oar influenced the making of "Pin Fish".  Using the oar fragment as the body, I added its found objects with rustic tones, reminiscent of fins.  There is a row of old pins on yellowed paper which refer to there sharp hooks.  A chain is attached to the head of a shovel that says catch. A rusted egg chopper  completes the tail.  

  • Phantom Limbs
    Phantom Limbs

    Found object wall assemblage: vintage child's wooden crutches, rubber & plastic doll legs, wood, paint, canvas H-48" W-10" D-9"

    I saw a child's pair of wooden crutches at a yard sale. The man said it belonged to his uncle and was very special.  He gave me the crutches and I used them as the basis for my assemblage. The multitude of plastic and rubber doll's cut off legs were attached with screws to symbolize the "phantom limb" phenomenon that occurs after an amputation. There are no fins on the piece to act as arms. The head is made from raw canvas which reminds me of a hospital.  The piece hangs horizontal from a hook to give the feeling of immobility.

  • On The Edge
    On The Edge

    Found object freestanding sculpture indoor or outdoor: (indoor or outdoor):  furniture legs, resin coated horseshoe abdomens, brass, plastic, wooden doorstops, copper tubing, steel bar stock H-47" W-43" D-47"

    " On The Edge" is a sculpture about the plight of the horseshoe crabs that are used for science.  The blood of the ancient crab is blue due to the copper. Labs drain the blue blood for research on vaccines and diseases.  Sometimes they die.

  • Mariner
    Mariner
    Found object wall assemblage: chair & wood parts, embossed tin H-18" x W-21" x D-6"
  • Hanger Fish
    Hanger Fish
    Found object wall assemblage: aged metals, vintageprinted wooden coat hanger parts H-22" x W-9" x D-3"
  • Blue Fish
    Blue Fish
    Found object wall assemblage: metal auto parts, door and trashcan parts ) H-13" x W27" x D3"
  • Swordfish
    Swordfish
    Found object wall assemblage: thatching rake and furniture parts, found wood H-17" x W-26" x D-9
  • Ash Can Fish
    Ash Can Fish
    Found object wall assemblage: sprung steel bench section, clamp, metal grating, paint, wood H-14" W-28" D-4"
  • Palette Fish
    Palette Fish
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture, palette & palette knife parts, screen mesh H-15" W-18" D-2"

Transylvania

In May 2015 I was an INSIDE ZONE resident artist in Borsec, Romania, a town at the base of the Carpathian mountainous. Throughout my life I had heard stories about my mysterious ancestral land of Transylvania.

During my urban exploration of the town’s crumbling villas, hospital and surrounding area, I took photographs. When I returned home I assembled frames from a few objects I collected there in addition to other materials from my studio. I created the odd sized structures first and then placed the archival pigment photographs inside the frames.

  • The Barn
    The Barn
    Found object wall assemblage: door & broom parts, hardware, weathered metal horse image, horseshoe, cast plaster, oil paint H-17" W-10" D-2"
  • Hotel Transylvania
    Hotel Transylvania
    Found clay roof tile fragment, wood, hardware, photograph (wall assemblage) H-20" x W-13" x D-1"
  • Machete
    Machete
    Found machete and furniture parts, hardware, chains, 3 Photographs (Wall Assemblage) H-32" W-19" D-2"
  • Vila A1
    Vila A1
    Found wood, hardware, photograph (wall assemblage) H-12" W-9" D-2"
  • Vila Maharaja
    Vila Maharaja
    Found tool and furniture parts, wood, hardware, 3 photographs H-43" x W-28" x D-5"
  • Waiting Rooms
    Waiting Rooms
    Found furniture and door parts, tin, 3 photographs (wall assemblage) H-20" x W-18" x D-2"
  • Asylum.jpg
    Asylum.jpg
    Asylum repurposed utensils, found wooden drawer, keys, hardware, plastic H-40" W-17" D-6"
  • Romany Baby
    Romany Baby
    Found object wall assemblage: rusted iron frame and tricycle parts, chains, photograph H-21" W-17" D-8"
  • Disco
    Disco
    Found wood, tong part, 3 photographs (wall assemblage) H-24" x W-18" x D-4"
  • Buried Faith
    Buried Faith
    Found object wall assemblage: burl wood, clay, metal, ceramic fragment H-13" W-9" D-3"

Transylvania Gallery Two

In May 2015 I was an INSIDE ZONE resident artist in Borsec, Romania, a town at the base of the Carpathian mountainous. Throughout my life I had heard stories about my mysterious ancestral land of Transylvania.

During my urban exploration of the town’s crumbling villas, hospital and surrounding area, I took photographs. When I returned home I assembled frames from a few objects I collected there in addition to other materials from my studio. I created the odd sized structures first and then placed the archival pigment photographs inside the frames.
  • Villa #4B
    Villa #4B
    Found wood and chair parts, aged metals & photograph (wall assemblage) H-15" x W-22" x D-6"
  • Romany Baby
    Romany Baby
    Rusted frame and tricycle part, chains, photograph (wall assemblage) H-20" W-17" D-8"
  • Shut-In
    Shut-In
    Found painted wooden door parts, tin, photograph ( Wall Assemblage) H-10" W-17" D-3"
  • Borsec
    Borsec
    Burled wood, ceramic spade and fragment, photograph (wall assemblage) 12" x 9" x 3"
  • Asylum
    Asylum
    Found drawer and door parts, rusty pitcher and ladle, belt parts, 8 miniature photographs (wall assemblage) H-38" W-16" D-6"
  • Asylum View
    Asylum View
    Found wooden chair parts & photograph (wall assemblage) H-17" W-10" D- 1"

Birdland Gallery One

Bird imagery, with its rich abundance of visual metaphor, has always fascinated me.  It has taken shape in "Birdland", the title of my series of found object wall assemblages.

As if risen from the ashes like a phoenix, a multitude of  detritus--aged metals, wood, castoff furniture parts and hardware--have materialized into avian forms of fancy.  Shaped by my vision and the tools and processes of my studio, I re-interpret and honor the unique histories betrayed by each weathered component.

The free found discards in each assemblage are discovered on shores, streets and woods as I walk my dog;  some are passed along by dear friends.  My tools and procesess are lo tech:  files, chisels, saws 
and sanders used sparingly on disparate pieces attached by bolts, screws, rivets and occasional welded.

 

  • The Flock
    The Flock
    Found object wall relief (trytich): furniture & lamp parts, brass fireplace shovel parts, brass H-17" W-17" D-4"
  • Duckwitz
    Duckwitz
    Found object freestanding sculpture: galvanized steel scoop parts, planar wood handle, tin plated scoop, copper braiding, wood, steel rod, aluminum ashtray H-18" W-12" D-7"
  • Quacker
    Quacker
    Found object wall assemblage: sink and pencil sharpener parts, brass, oil can opener H-12" W-9" D-5"
  • White House Birds
    White House Birds
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, keys, springs H-11" W-22" D-3"
  • Pimpkin
    Pimpkin
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, wood, hardware, wood, keys H-12" W-13" D-6
  • Stalker
    Stalker
    Found object wall assemblage: sewing machine, dust bin and shovel parts, aged metals H-11" W-30" D-8"
  • Sentinel
    Sentinel
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and bicycle parts, aged metals, bathtub leg H-19" W-11" D-5"
  • Majestic Bird
    Majestic Bird
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, bathtub leg, aged metals, tin, hardware H-24" W-14" D-6"
  • Bird Mother
    Bird Mother
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and shovel parts, hardware, wood, paint, wooden bowl, bulb holder H-16" W-13" D-8"
  • Prehistoric Birds
    Prehistoric Birds
    Found object wall assemblage (diptych): furniture & tool parts, aged metals, wire H-48" W-36" D-9"

Birdland Gallery Two

Bird imagery, with its rich abundance of visual metaphor, has always fascinated me. It has taken shape in “Birdland”, my series of wall assemblages.

As if risen from the ashes like a phoenix, a multitude of found objects—cast-off furniture parts, aged metals and hardware--have materialized into avian forms of fancy, shaped by my vision and the tools and processes of my studio, which together attempt to re-interpret and honor the unique histories betrayed by each weathered component.

Most of the materials in each assemblage were found in local wooded areas as I walked my dog; some were passed along to me by dear friends. My tools and processes are simple: files, chisels, band saws and sanders used sparingly on disparate pieces bolted, riveted, screwed, brazed, and occasionally welded.

  • Plantation
    Plantation

    Freestanding Found Object Assemblage:  column support base, vintage wooden stool parts, repurposed tools, burl wood, flute parts, hardware, chains, aged metals H-53" W-14" D-55"

    Plantation is an earthy freestanding assemblage for indoors or outdoors. With rusty, broken garden tools I have collected over the years, I have formed a circular sculpture. The repurposed tools are supported by natural branches.  A three dimensional image of a bird of prey assemblage made from burl wood, tools & aged metals sits atop the piece referencing death, rebirth or a master. Rusted chains are hung around the upside down stool in the middle on hooks symbolizing imprisonment or life cycle. The base is a heavy aged metal and wood column support such as seen in the architecture of a mansion. 

     

  • Morning
    Morning
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture, lamp and shovel parts H-36" W-27" D-8"
  • Hoot
    Hoot
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and shovel parts, hardware, spring H-15" W-18" D-6"
  • Duckling
    Duckling
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, boat block and tackle, hooks, aged metals H-12" W-11" D-7"
  • Cockerel
    Cockerel
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and stove parts, aged metals, shrimp peeler, keys H-24" W-20" D-8"
  • Lawn Bird
    Lawn Bird
    Found object wall assemblage: sprinkler and rake parts, aged metals, key H-12" W-16" D-3"
  • Endangered Species
    Endangered Species
    Found object wall assemblage: toy gunstock, furniture parts, aged metals, hardware, springs H-25" W-15" D-6"
  • Pinko
    Pinko
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and handrail parts, aged metals, hardware H-29" W-12" D-4"
  • Dolly
    Dolly
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and handrail parts, wood, hardware H-29" W-12" D-4"
  • Lovebird
    Lovebird
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, painted wood, key H-23" W-16" D-8"

Petite Towns of Character

Traveling and exploring in Brittany, France during a month-long artist residency was the impetus for my body of found object townscapes. Using abandoned paint boxes left by previous artists at the chateau in Rochefort-en-Terre, I began to create my townscapes vision. In my home studio I have continued the evolving, travel-based series using found objects discovered on my daily walks in the woods with my dog. I create my work primarily with old furniture parts, aged metals and cast-off hardware.
  • Old Delhi II
    Old Delhi II
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and door parts, aged metals, hardware, paint H-17" W-31" D-6"
  • Green City
    Green City
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture, rake and door parts, aged metal H-22" W-18" D-9"
  • Japan:  3-11-11
    Japan: 3-11-11
    Found object wall assemblage: VW and tricycle parts, aged metals, rubber balls H-30" W-18" D-10"
  • Old Baltimore
    Old Baltimore
    Found object wall assemblage: ladder and paint box parts, wood, hardware, aged metals H-28" W-27" D-5"
  • Hampden
    Hampden
    Found object wall assemblage: aged woods, rake parts, discarded lawn ornaments H-30" W-27" D-8"
  • Fez
    Fez
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and door parts, aged metals, hardwar H-18" W-17" D-3"
  • River City
    River City
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture, rake, sprinkler and shovel parts, wire H-28" W-36" D-6"
  • Morbihan
    Morbihan
    Found object wall assemblage: door and furniture parts, hardware, aged metals H-14" W-19" D-5"
  • Brittany
    Brittany
    Found object wall assemblage: discarded wooden paint box parts, hardware, chains, keys, potato peeler blades H-15" W-16" D-4"
  • Aftermath
    Aftermath
    Found object wall relief: rusted metal objects welded, chain, can lid H-15" W-15" D-7"

Skeletons and Cops

With my background in nursing,  I became engrossed with SKELETONS and anatomy. I felt driven to create my own interpretation of the human framework using furniture parts, old bathtub legs and copper tubing. "Family Secrets" is based on my own life experience of adoption and reunion.

COPS was influenced by the national television series "Homicide: Life on the Streets" filmed on location in Baltimore. Although the show was a fictional version of the Baltimore City Police Department's homicide unit, I've always been fascinated with true crime. I got to know some of Baltimore's homicide detectives and they inspired my work.
  • Family Secrets
    Family Secrets
    Found object assemblage: furniture and wood (burned) parts, copper tubing, aged metals, spade parts, bathtub legs, hanging from metal stands H-70" W-80" D-12"
  • Ooommm
    Ooommm
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, hardware, mirror H-36" W-24" D-13"
  • Blonde Skeleton
    Blonde Skeleton
    Found object assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, brass, wood, metal stand, pipes, paint H-72" W-21" D-26"
  • Labor of Love
    Labor of Love
    Found object assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, hardware, painted door H-28" W-57" D-30"
  • Guard
    Guard
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and tool parts, aged metals, wood, keys H-24" W-12" W-5"
  • Watch Commander
    Watch Commander
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and car parts, tin, copper, brass, stove and tool parts H-25" W-23" D-5"
  • Siren
    Siren
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, plastic, lantern parts H-19" W-17" D-7"
  • Cop-out
    Cop-out
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and lantern parts, aged metals, rubber stamp H-19" W-15" D-4"
  • Arrest
    Arrest
    Found object wall assemblage: bicycle, sled, tool and lock parts, aged metals, chain H-22" W-11" D-5"
  • Detective Lieutenant
    Detective Lieutenant
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and stove parts, aged metals, keys, brass, copper H-26" W-12" D-8"

Adoption Series

Reunion with my only child who I had to relinquish for adoption at birth, has led me into a visual journey of familial experiences we all can share. Symbolic of a former secret life and identity, I unite found objects into sculpture.
  • Born Anew
    Born Anew
    Found object wall assemblage: Ladder parts, aged metals, copper, wood, tortoise shell H-18" W-11" D-5"
  • Single Parent
    Single Parent
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and lamp parts, aged metals H-48" W-36" D-3"
  • Avenger
    Avenger
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and tractor parts, aged meta H-30" W-29" D-4"
  • It's a Girl/Boy!
    It's a Girl/Boy!
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and stove parts, aged metals, wood H-36" W-29" D-4"
  • Searcher
    Searcher
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and shovel parts, aged metals, keys, copp H-32" W-23" D-5"
  • In Custody
    In Custody
    Found object wall assemblage: lock parts, aged metals, chain, wood H-12" W-9" D-3"
  • Birthmother
    Birthmother
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, mirror, strainer H-49" W-20" D-4"
  • The Matriarch
    The Matriarch
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, stair spindle, paint H-45" W-18" D-4"
  • Original Mother
    Original Mother
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, wooden bowl, hardware, mirror H-24" W-24" D-4"
  • Birthfather
    Birthfather
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture, door and sled parts, fishhook, gunstock H-44" W-14" D-5"

Figures

Inspired by personal experiences to guide my work, I create figurative assemblages out of found objects. My materials are mainly cast-off furniture parts, aged metals and old hardware found weathered in the woods. I construct my art using basic tools such as saw, hammer, rivet gun, sander, screw driver. Typically I will attach the pieces with bolts, rivets, screws, or nails,  but on occasion I will use a welder to fuse metals.
  • Dancin' Fool
    Dancin' Fool
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, hardware, clock and watch parts, buckle H-17" W-22" D-4"
  • Forbidden Fruit
    Forbidden Fruit
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, upholstery fabric H-53" W-43" D-7
  • In Trouble
    In Trouble
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, burned matches, hardware H-30" W-26" D-3"
  • Birder
    Birder
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture and binocular holder parts, wood, wire H-21" W-11" D-8"
  • Tree Spirit
    Tree Spirit
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts partially burned, aged metals, hardware H-33" W-20" D-10"
  • Harbinger's Net
    Harbinger's Net
    Found object wall assemblage: ea kettle spouts, drift wood and shells, coppe H-16" W-8" D-5"
  • Passage
    Passage
    Found object wall assemblage: furniture parts, aged metals, spring, k H-20" W-31" D-8"
  • Latch Key Child
    Latch Key Child
    Found object wall assemblage: lock and door parts, chains, skate key H-13" W-8" D-7"
  • Collector (Self Portrait)
    Collector (Self Portrait)
    1. Found object assemblage mounted on vintage dress mannequin: chains, wire rope, shells, aged metals, beads, broken jewelry bits. 2. Found object wall assemblage portrait: bentwood fragment mounted on sheet metal with wrapped chains, ropes, wire. H- 69" W-19" D-17"
  • The Widow
    The Widow
    Found object wall sculpture: furniture parts, burned wood, copper, wire, tortoise shell H-35" W-24" D-8"