Artwork copyright Madge Gleeson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Madge Gleeson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Burgerville at Cactus Flats, 1991

Madge Gleeson
(American, born 1945)

Location: Graham Elementary, Graham

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Burgerville at Cactus Flats is part of artist Madge Gleeson's series of paintings that explore "the themes, expectations, and values of 1950s advertising." This piece focuses on the evolving role drive-in restaurants have played in American culture, depicting a nostalgic scene that encouraged social interaction while pointing to our contemporary, intercom-based "drive-thru" systems in which "the message is now to leave as quickly as possible."

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Madge Gleeson creates prints, drawings and paintings that explore conceptual narratives and digital media.
Gleeson is Professor Emeritus at Western Washington University in Bellingham (Northwestern Washington), where she taught since 1983. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in teaching from Brown University in Rhode Island. In 1976, she received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Eastern Washington.