Artwork copyright Richard Posner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard Posner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Richard Posner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Richard Posner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The Tunnel Garden, 1986

Richard Posner
Nationality unknown (born 1949, died 2011)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

About the Artwork

The Tunnel Garden is an acoustic tile, wood trellis, and sound installation. Artist Richard Posner created this piece for the University of Washington. The tunnel installation connects the University Hospital to the Triangle Parking Garage. It simulates an urban aviary, featuring birdcalls by species indigenous to the Pacific Northwest. Posner worked collaboratively with the tunnel architects and designers, as well as artist Ginny Ruffner, to create this piece.

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

About the Artist

Artist Richard Posner (1949-2011) created community-based, public artworks while also balancing a studio art-making practice. A true citizen of the world, he is known in the Pacific Northwest for the years he spent making art in Seattle in the 1980s.
Posner received a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Chico in 1973. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from California College of Arts and Crafts in 1976.