Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2021.

Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2021.

Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2021.

America's Essential Workers, 2020

Christie Tirado
(Mexican American, born 1990)

Location: Ridgeview Elementary, Yakima

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Christie Tirado’s print America's Essential Workers focuses on the Mexican farmworkers in the agricultural industry of the Yakima Valley in Central Washington. She explains, “While some of us have the luxury to work from home and self-isolate, this is not case for our nation’s farmworkers, who harvest our food and keep our shelves stocked with fresh produce. This piece was created with our nation’s essential workers in mind. These workers have always played a vital role in our country and now more than ever, eyes need to be opened, ears need to listen and their voices need to be heard – conversations need to get started about their safety and wellbeing.” This piece was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Tirado sketched and carved the design by hand on a block of wood. Then she printed it with traditional oil-based ink onto cotton paper.

This artwork is part of a curated collection by Cozette Phillips in April 2021 at Ridgeview Elementary, in Yakima, Central Washington. Phillips worked with the local art selection committee, who wanted art that reflects their farming communities, their relationship with nature, and the largely Hispanic student body. The artworks are soothing and peaceful for a community that works hard.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist and art teacher Christie Tirado creates prints and drawings that explore her Mexican-American heritage and identity. Her art also focuses on the life of Hispanic migrant farmworkers, who often go unheard, unseen, and underappreciated. Tirado wants her prints to spark conversations about the realities of the labor carried out by America’s essential workers, and their value and contributions to Washington State and to the nation’s overall economy. She is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico.

Tirado graduated from Tacoma's School of the Arts, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 2013 and a Master in Teaching degree from Heritage University in 2016. She taught art to elementary and middle school students in the Yakima Valley, Central Washington for seven years. Christie is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.