Artwork copyright Nanette Carter. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Fire Water #29, 1991

Nanette Carter
(American, born 1954)

Location: Washington State Arts Commission, SeaTac

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Fire Water #29 is an abstract drawing by artist Nanette Carter. It is part of her series of thirty-six artworks exploring formal similarities between fire and water. She notes, "There is a hypnotic quality that they share. Fire has a liquid movement, while they can both peak and ebb. The force and power of fire and water never ceases to amaze man."

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nanette Carter is known for her collages with Mylar (archival plastic sheets) and other materials. Her work examines issues around war, technology, media, and social injustices around the world, especially as relates to black and brown people. In her own words, "My catalysts for over four decades have been the drama of nature along with the drama of human nature." and "Working with intangible ideas around contemporary issues has been my motivating force...How to present these ideas in an abstract vocabulary of form, line, color and texture is the quest."

Carter began taking children’s art classes at the Montclair Museum in New Jersey. In 1972, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art and Art History from Oberlin College in Ohio. During that time, she also traveled around Europe and North Africa, and studied in Perugia, Italy. In 1978, she received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn, New York. She currently serves as a professor of art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.