Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Ring of Fire, 2002

Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii
Jim Hirschfield (American (born 1952))) - Sonya Ishii (American (born 1952)))

Location: Bellevue College, Bellevue

About the Artwork

Ring of Fire was created by artist team Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii, in collaboration with artist Stu Branston. The artwork is a gazebo whose roof is a cut-out design of flowing lava in red. During the day, the sun casts the roof's lava shadows onto the plaza floor. At night, the lava pattern is highlighted with strategically placed spotlights. The title refers to the "Ring of Fire" which is a large area around the Pacific Ocean where most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Western Washington, and Bellevue College, is within the Ring of Fire.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Bellevue College.

About the Artist

Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii are collaborating artists based in North Carolina. Their artworks are influenced by a site’s physical location, social context, and history. They also strive to create a poetic experience through their art.
Jim Hirschfield is a professor of art at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oregon.
Sonya Ishii studied architecture at the University of Washington in Seattle. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oregon.