Artwork copyright Acrylicize. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2024.

Artwork copyright Acrylicize. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2024.

Artwork copyright Acrylicize. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2024.

Artwork copyright Acrylicize. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2024.

Artwork copyright Acrylicize. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2024.

Growth / Seed to Tree / Thrive, 2024

Acrylicize
Oliver Frend (); Taylor Reed (); Ian Campbell ()

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Growth / Seed to Tree / Thrive by Acrylicize spans the lobby wall of the Health Sciences Education Building. This multi-part mural graphically illustrates a fallen tree’s role in the process of growth and supporting the wider ecosystem. The mural grows from the lobby, starting with the initial seeds, and expanding out to the exterior wall where life flourishes. Within the mural are phrases and imagery that celebrate the ideas that the campus and community encourage, sourced from UW students and faculty members. The mural's wood is sourced from trees on the UW campus.

A nurse log is a fallen tree that, as it decays, provides enriching elements for seedlings to grow. This is strikingly similar to the uplifting culture of care that the UW medical programs provide to their patients and communities. The UW Health Sciences Education Building is like a nurse log: a symbolic backbone to the UW community and the growth that takes place because of it.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with University of Washington.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Acrylicize uses art as a vehicle for storytelling, celebrating culture and identity. They are based out of London and New York City.