2022 Joint Mathematics Meetings
Robert Fathauer
Artists
Robert Fathauer
Owner
Tessellations
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Statement
Mathematical structure is evident throughout the natural world. My work explores the mathematics of symmetry, fractals, tessellations and more, blending it with plant and animal forms as well as inorganic forms found in nature. This synthesis allows me to create innovative prints and sculptures that derive their beauty from a combination of complexity and underlying order.
Artworks

This hand-built ceramic sculpture is based on a mathematical object known as a hyperbolic helicoid, which is an infinite helicoid (a shape similar to an auger bit or a spiral staircase) depicted with hyperbolic geometry. Thanks to Roice Nelson for providing a 3D graphic to serve as a model.