What Are “Found Objects” in Art?

In art, a “found object” is any everyday item that’s been lifted out of its original context and given a new role in a work of art. It doesn’t have to be rare or precious. In fact, the most interesting pieces are often the most ordinary: a worn ruler, a broken knob, a faded photograph, a typewriter key.

From Everyday Object to Artwork

Found objects carry evidence of use—scratches, dents, patina, fingerprints, and stories we’ll never fully know. When artists incorporate them into paintings, sculptures, or assemblages, those traces of history come along for the ride.

In assemblage, found objects are more than materials. They’re characters in a visual story. The artist chooses and arranges them the way a writer chooses words.

Types of Found Objects I Use

In my own work, I’m especially drawn to:

  • Mechanical parts: gears, dials, switches, coils

  • Vintage paper: letters, ledgers, maps, book pages

  • Tools and hardware: rulers, clamps, nails, hinges

  • Natural materials: bark, shells, twigs, stones

  • Personal fragments: photographs, tickets, tags, keys

Some pieces arrive in perfect condition; others are corroded, torn, or incomplete. Their flaws are often what make them compelling.

Why Found Objects Matter

Using found objects is a way to talk about memory, repair, and renewal.
Each item once had a specific job. In an assemblage, it takes on a new role and a new relationship to other objects.

For viewers, this can trigger recognition: “My grandfather had a watch like that,” or “Those numbers look like an old invoice.” Suddenly the work isn’t just about the artist’s story—it’s inviting the viewer’s story in as well.

Learn More About Assemblage Art

Want to go deeper? These articles explore specific aspects of the practice:

If you’d like to see how I’ve put materials together, visit: