Mathematician, artist, teacher, maker. Edmund Harriss is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas, working between mathematics and art, especially in mathematical illustration, and mathematical art.
Algebraic Starscapes
The beautiful patterns that appear when algebraic numbers are plotted with sizes determined by complexity (such as functions of the discriminant), revealing geometric structure.
Curvahedra
A modular construction system based on the Gauss-Bonnet theorem — identical curved pieces that zip together without glue to form spheres, toruses, and other surfaces. Began as a paper puzzle, funded via Kickstarter in 2016, and became a commercial product at curvahedra.com. The same geometry underlies the Gearhart Hall courtyard sculpture and the Zip-Form fabrication system.
Zip-Form
A computation-and-fabrication system for creating curved architectural forms by zipping flat-cut pieces together. Developed with architect Emily Baker at the University of Arkansas, Zip-Form pairs mathematical formulations for parallel transport with a simple jig-based assembly process, enabling complex 3D curves from plasma-cut steel and basic tools. The work spans a permanent public sculpture, papers at AAG and IASS, and an ongoing collaboration on shape-optimised concrete formwork.
Illustrating Mathematics
Strengthening and making visible the role mathematical illustration has always played in mathematical discovery.
Tilings, substitutions and Projection
Research into the relationship between substitution rules and projection tilings.
Genuine Pretending
A philosophical framework for mathematical art developed with Roger Antonssen and drawn from Moeller and D'Ambrosio's reading of the Zhuangzi.
Geometric Flows
Placeholder for project explaining geodeisc flow and continued fractions with Pierre Arnoux.
Patterns of the Universe
A mathematical coloring book co-authored with Alex Bellos.
Visions of the Universe
A mathematical coloring book co-authored with Alex Bellos.
Hello Numbers! What Can You Do?
A counting book where math provides all the drama, with Houston Hughes and Brian Rea.
2D Crystals
Collaboration with physicist Salvador Barraza-Lopez applying discrete differential geometry to atom-thin crystalline materials. Especially how the geometry helps understand electric, optical and chemical properties.
Insider Accounts of Dyslexia from Research Mathematicians
Analysis of personal narratives from research mathematicians with dyslexia, exploring the strengths and challenges of neurodiverse mathematical thinkers.
Geodesic Boards
A set of CNC-carved wooden boards that make geodesic curves on mathematical surfaces tangible and touchable. Joint work with Steve Trettel
Geometry in the Walnut Grove: An Applied Mathematical Approach to Art
Paper and artwork exploring perceptualism in a mathematical art project. Joint with Carl Smith and Angela Carpenter.
Gradient of Grain
Carving gradient paths into the grain of a piece of wood. Featured in the New York Times (October 2025).
Misshapen Chaos: of Well Seeming Forms
A series of six clay 3D-printed vessels on walnut bases, each encoding a different parameter of the logistic map as the equations are transformed into machine toolpaths for the printer. The surface of each vessel — from regular coiled rows at the base to chaotic bumps at the rim — traces the period-doubling cascade as the map bifurcates toward chaos. Created with Vincent Edwards and Jean Schmidt. Exhibited at Bridges 2025 (Eindhoven) and at the Création: Between Art and Mathematics exhibition at the Institut Henri Poincaré, Paris (April 2026).
Non-Periodic Rhomb Substitution Tilings That Admit Order n Rotational Symmetry
Construction of a family of rhomb substitution rules for all dihedral symmetries in the plane.
Pentagonal Domain Exchange
Self-inducing piecewise isometries with pentagons and heptagons.
Sculpture System 5
A sculpture system of hinged triangles to make deltahedra, joint with Richard Grimes.
Woven Permutation Rings
Wedding rings designed using permutation theory and braid mathematics, then realised in braided copper wire and cast in silver. The weave pattern — a cyclic permutation threading each strand through every position — was selected by systematically generating and exploring all possible braid cycles in code.
Magnetic Klein Quartic
A physical model of the Klein quartic, a genus-3 hyperbolic surface tiled by 24 regular heptagonsmbuilt from neodymium magnets.
3D Spirographs
An exploration of spirograph curves extended into three dimensions, with Richard Grimes
Tiling Typography
A series of four typographic studies placing classic typefaces over mathematical tiling patterns.