Artwork copyright Caroline Orr. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Ta-co-bet. Mt Rainier #1, 1998

Caroline Orr
(American | Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation | Lillooet Okanagan, born 1943)

Location: Thunder Mountain Middle School, Enumclaw

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Ta-co-bet. Mt Rainier #1 is part of a series of three masks created by Native American artist Caroline Orr (Lillooet Okanogan) in observance of Mount Rainier National Park's centennial in 1999. The series include elements of Nisqually mountain basket designs and natural elements. Orr notes that the native peoples that lived near Mount Rainier "cherished the abundant wildlife, plants, water, and ancient spiritual sites." In preparation for this series, Orr discussed the history and mythology of Mount Rainier with Nisqually elder Cecelia Svinth Carpenter.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Enumclaw School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist Caroline Orr (Lillooet Okanogan) creates paintings, prints, and sculptures influenced by her Native American heritage and the stories passed down by her ancestors. Orr grew up on the Okanogan plateau of North-Central Washington. She notes "Beginning my life on a reservation cattle ranch, I have always been inspired by nature and my native heritage, taught to me by the legends of my grandparents. Art... has helped me to express my appreciation for these stories and the wisdom of my ancestors." The Okanogan Tribe's traditional territory spans the U.S.-Canada boundary in Washington and British Columbia.

Orr earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (1965) in art from the University of Washington in Seattle, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (1973) from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (1977) in painting from the University of Washington in Seattle.