Assemblages
Ridlon has constructed assemblages for more than 50 years. During that time he has continuously utilized and manipulated found objects as materials for creative involvement. He’s most influenced by the works of Joseph Cornell and Louise Nevelson. Ridlon finds placing found objects under glass in juxtaposing postures is a fascinating and all-encompassing demand on his artistic nature.
Haunting Discoveries
The 1998 series"Haunting Discoveries" is the second in an eleven part series of assemblages that are thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful, and always searching. To produce each series I spent a year or two finding and assembling objects into finished works. There are 30 thematically related assemblages in this series. Each assemblage in this series measures approximately 18 ”x 26” x 4” and are framed under glass.
Close to Home
The 1999 series "Close to Home" is third in an eleven part series of assemblages thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. There are 35 thematically related assemblages in this series. Each assemblage in this series measures approximately 18” x 26” x 4” and are framed under glass.
Troubled Discoveries
The 1998-1999 series "Troubled Discoveries" is forth in an eleven part series of assemblages thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. Each assemblage represents a series of between 40 and 60 works that are thematically related. To produce each series I spent about a year collecting found objects and then assembling those objects into finished works.
My Favorite Dreams
The 2001 series "My Favorite Dreams" is fifth in an eleven part series of assemblages thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. Each assemblage represents a series of between 40 and 60 works that are thematically related. To produce each series I spent about a year collecting found objects and then assembling those objects into finished works.
Textured Memories
The 2002 series "Textured Memories" is sixth in an eleven part series of assemblages thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching.
Homage Series
The 2003 "Homage" series is seventh in an eleven part series of assemblages thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching.
Carnival Series
The 2004 "Carnival" Series is eighth in an eleven part series of assemblages that are thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. Each assemblage represents a series of between 40 and 60 works that are thematically related. To produce each series I spent about a year collecting found objects and then assembling the objects into finished works.
Figure It Out
The 2005 "Figure it Out" series is ninth in an eleven part series that are thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. Each assemblage represents a series of between 40 and 60 works that are thematically related. To produce each series I spent about a year collecting found objects relating to the theme and then assembling the objects into finished works.
The Look of Reason
The 2006 "The Look of Reason" is the tenth in an eleven part series of assemblages thematically related to memories. Each series was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. Each assemblage represents a series of between 40 and 60 works that are thematically related. To produce each series I spent more than a year finding objects related to the theme and then assembling them into finished works.
Football Memories
This work was created to be exhibited at the Canton Art Institute in conjunction with the 1990 induction of pro football players into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is the first in an eleven part series related to memories. Thirty-eight assemblages were completed for this exhibition then gifted to the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama. Each piece reflects on a different moment, or aspect of the game of football.
The Look of Poems
"The Look of Poems" is a series of assemblages that were created in conjunction with poems and are intended to be exhibited together. A poem and assemblage were started at the same time in order to create a play between the written word and visual image. This approach stimulated each art form to evolve and change creating resolutions that were unpredictable. The two art forms eventually resolved as one. There are 54 assemblages and poems in the piece, with each assemblage measuring 10" x 13" They are intended to be exhibited as one hybrid book of poems.
Impressions
The 2015 "Impressions" series is the eleventh of an eleven part series of assemblages that are thematically related to memories. Each was constructed with variations of metaphoric plays on objects creating visual puzzles that are sometimes romantic, sometimes playful, sometimes fanciful and always searching. There are 38 thematically related assemblages in this series. Each assemblage in this series measures either 9 by 9.5 inches or 12 by 17 inches, and are framed under glass.
Haunting Memories
A series of 70 assemblages under glass that are approximately 20" x 36." These works were created as statements confronting contemporary cultural and political practices. Found objects are used symbolically to create metaphors reflecting the injustices that exist within the social structure of our country.
Misguided Trust
All the work in this series of 30 assemblages are 3' x 5' and were completed in 2015 - 2016. These expressions deal with haunting memories that resurface at odd times and keep one awake at night. Completing this series of work has enabled me to confront bad choices; mistakes I made when I was young, now regret, and wish I could amend. Each work has an accompanying poem that was developed simultaneously with the assemblage.
Intimate Reflections
The short term focus "Intimate Reflections" series of assemblages were produced between 2015 and 2017 dealing with broken promises and lost dreams. "Singularities" deal with important periods of time. "Fantasies" explore reflective moments in time. "Mysteries" are references to confusing reactions that dominated the unusual. "Youthful Thoughts" align objects of youth with the confusion of old age. "Dream" represents segments from delightful reoccurring dreams. "Made for Music" are light hearted responses to how music moved me.
