Artwork copyright Barbara Black. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Torrent of Dreams, 1994

Barbara Black
(American, born 1936)

Location: Wilson Creek Elementary and Junior-Senior High, Wilson Creek

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Torrent of Dreams is a painting by artist Barbara Black. It features both abstract and representational images to show what the artist calls “different levels of inner and outer reality.” A fishing hook extends into a black shape that might symbolize the world of the imagination. The artist notes, “Images of water—rivers, lakes, oceans, waves—are recurrent and important images in my dreams and in my art.”

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Portland, Oregon-based artist Barbara Black creates art that is often related to dreams and mythology. She combines abstract and realistic elements. In her own words, “I try to make art where meanings are complex and layered so that we can return time after time and continue to receive new ideas about the content of the artwork.”

Black received a Bachelor of Arts from Reed College in Portland and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Portland State University. In 1978, she co-founded Blackfish Gallery, an artist-owned cooperative exhibition space in Portland that continues to this day. She has taught art for many colleges and institutions in Oregon State.