Mathematician, artist, teacher, maker.
Edmund Harriss is an Assistant Professor in the department of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Art at the University of Arkansas, working between mathematics and art, especially in mathematical illustration.
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 to explore the geometry of curvature.
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.
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.
Barth Sextic
A physical sculpture of the Barth Sextic — an algebraic surface of degree six with the maximum possible number of ordinary double points (65). Winner of the AMS prize for best textile, sculpture, or other media.
Gradient of Grain
Carving gradient paths into the grain of a piece of wood. Featured in the New York Times (October 2025).
Geodesic Boards
A set of CNC-carved wooden boards that make geodesic curves on mathematical surfaces tangible and touchable. Joint work with Steve Trettel
Misshapen Chaos (of Well Seeming Forms)
The logidtic map reveal in clay, image and sound.
Holonomy Blocks
An interactive installation, with Henry Segerman. An arrow slidesaround a closed path on three carved wooden surfaces.
Sculpture System 5
A sculpture system of hinged triangles to make deltahedra, joint with Richard Grimes.
Woven Permutation Rings
The rings my wife and I wear.
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.
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.
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.
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.