I’m Joe Peterson, and I’m exploring mycelium.

I find the challenge and connectivity of cultivating mycelium exciting.

As interconnected as the earth may be, oftentimes we are severed from it. I connect with earth through a disconnected, artificial but living organism. A double edged sword that I wield with caution and optimism. More on that.

And the best part? My art will one day return to nature. The same can’t be said for a lot of other materials and that’s unfortunate.

These sculptures are part of a larger, multi-media series on change and adaptation.

Frustrated by early failures, I turned to an equally fragile material to create “Easy Do-able Mushrooms” at the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Perry Glass Studio using fused glass. Thanks to Staci Katsias, & my mother for supporting this project.
Early-stage growth plate using coffee and sawdust as a substrate and Lion’s Mane as a species.
Early-stage turtle sculptures cultivated with sawdust and Reishi.