Artwork copyright Mary McIntyre. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2016.

Common Man Meets the Computer Age, 1979

Mary McIntyre
American (born 1943)

Location: East Farms Elementary School, Newman Lake

About the Artwork

Common Man Meets the Computer Age is a whimsical textile sculpture created by artist Mary McIntyre. Describing her humorous symbolism, she notes, "The rough irregular shape of the brown felt with the curly white mohair represents 'common man,' and the straight-edged, bright-colored woven strips represent 'machine-made' things. Looms used for weaving more intricate things than these, in fact, are regarded as the precursors to computers. I felt it was only proper to regard these narrow strips as bits spit out by a computer."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with East Valley School District, Spokane.

About the Artist

Bellingham, Washington-based artist Mary McIntyre creates fiber and mixed media sculptures.