Artwork copyright John Sisko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2021.

Artwork copyright John Sisko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2021.

(All) Hands on Deck, 2021

John Sisko
(American, born 1958, died 2016)

Location: Seattle Maritime Academy, Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

(All) Hands on Deck by artist John Sisko is a series of sculptural relief panels for the Seattle Maritime Academy (part of the Seattle Colleges network). It is made in the style of the WPA-era American muralist tradition of the late 1930s that championed the working person, industry, and the land and sea. The panels focus on the people who are being educated in managing and working on ships at the Academy. He presents their hands in various actions connected to ships, such as handling ropes, paddling, and fishing. The hands convey both intelligence and strength. Smaller panels include wave patterns, fish, and starfish.

Sisko did not live to see this artwork completed. At the time of his passing, he had completed most of the clay reliefs (some have been left unfinished). The panels were cast, finished, and installed as originally designed and envisioned, in an effort involving longtime collaborators Two Ravens Studio, Ignacio Lopez, Adam Fah, and Nancy Sisko (John's sister).

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

John Sisko (1958-2016) was an artist, teacher, and mentor. He focused on figurative sculptures, mainly of humans and animals. They often also had intellectual, spiritual, or philosophical themes.

Sisko spent his early years in Montana and moved to suburban Seattle at age 13. He studied art at Western Washington University in Bellingham and eventually earned a Bachelor of Art in philosophy in 1987 from the University of Washington in Seattle. He taught at Seattle University, Gage Academy in Seattle, and Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. Sisko made over 110 limited-edition bronzes, 16 commissioned projects, and participated in over 45 exhibitions across the United States.