Paige Tashner, native Oregonian, East Bay California transplant, and longtime Burning Man participant, has been sharing her sense of creativity and quirkiness for several years.

In 2014, she created the whimsical cupcake-inspired mutant vehicle, Devils Food Cupcake, which debuted at Burning Man that same year. It was later revamped into the Space Muffin to enhance the experience of her first-ever large-scale installation, Stardust, a 9 ft. diameter, 10 ft. high, glowing, spaceship bench. In 2018, Paige was awarded a Black Rock City Honoraria Grant to share Stardust out in deep playa with Burning Man participants. Stardust went on to grace the snowy Portland Winter Lights Festival in Oregon in 2019 and the cozy Dark Room of the Bay Area Maker Faire later that spring.

In 2019, she received her second consecutive Black Rock City Honoraria Grant for the Purr Pods. The Purr Pods, inspired by her own pets, are 3 large, metal, interactive cat sculptures that envelop participants in sonic vibrations leaving them feeling revived. At night, these kitties glow with enchanting, color-changing LEDs. In addition to Burning Man, people have experienced the Purr Pods in Richmond, CA, Sylva, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and Bristol, England.

Her current sculptural endeavor, Demure Le Purr cat sculptures, are 1/3 scale versions of the Purr Pods. Since most people don't have space for a 13 ft. metal cat, their compact size is purrfect for smaller spaces.

"I love cats. I have six black cats and two tabbies, all rescues. Why not make art about something I love?

This piece is a scaled-down version of Luna, one of my very large cat sculptures called the Purr Pods. The idea of creating more transportable kitties came pretty quickly after hauling the Purr Pods to and from Burning Man on a 45 ft. flatbed trailer. Following up on that idea took about a year.

The big hurdle was figuring out how to make scaled down metal rings to replicate the look of the original sculptures. Seeking advice from artists and fabricators, falling down online rabbit holes of research, and epically failing in making them myself, I finally figured out a way to have the rings made locally and efficiently.

At this point in time, the process of creating each cat sculpture evolves and gets more streamlined. But the first one, this one, Spring Kitten, was a multi-month trial and error escapade that exceeded all my expectations. I put a lot of love into this piece and I'm thrilled how it turned out." - Paige Tashner

To see more of Paige Tashner’s work please visit her website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Tashner's work, to date, has been exhibited primarily in outdoor spaces. Currently, the Purr Pods, local and international, are installed in gorgeous and inviting public settings for all to enjoy.

Burning Man, 2018
Black Rock City Honoraria Recipient
Black Rock City, Nevada
https://www.wearestardust.art

Portland Winter Lights Festival, 2019
Portland, Oregon
https://www.pdxwlf.com/stardust

Bay Area Maker Faire, 2019
San Mateo, California
https://makerfaire.com/maker/entry/69356/

Burning Man, 2019
Black Rock City Honoraria Recipient
Black Rock City, Nevada
https://www.purrpods.art/

We Are From Dust – Multiple Locations
https://www.wearefromdust.org/art

Point San Pablo Harbor, 2019-2020, 2021-Present
Richmond, California
https://www.wearefromdust.org/point-san-pablo-harbor/

Ashton Court Mansion, 2020-Present
Bristol, England
https://www.wearefromdust.org/exhibitions/ashton-court-bristol-england-uk

Gallivan Center, 2020-2021
Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah
https://www.wearefromdust.org/exhibitions/gallivan-center-salt-lake-city-ut-usa

Museum of the American House Cat, 2020 – Present
Sylva, North Carolina
https://www.wnccatmuseum.org/scooby--the-articats.html