Artwork copyright dick ibach. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.

Mt. St. Helens, 1983

dick ibach
(American | German, born 1940, died 2021)

Location: River Homelink School, Battle Ground

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Mt. St. Helens is a painting by dick ibach. It features energetic and gestural patterns. The imagery references the massive 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State – ibach describes the painting as a "celebration of the eruption". The volcanic eruption dramatically changed the landscape and environment of Southwestern Washington, and was a shocking event.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Spokane, Eastern Washington-based artist dick ibach (1940-2021) created paintings that combine figurative imagery with expressive forms, symbolism, and intense patterning. His art is humorous and often based on his memories: "It is my intention to speak of the contradictions of the human condition: to address both the nobility and stupidity of it all." He believes that the viewer must develop a “visual literacy” and not expect explanations, because “Artists are visual and their imagery is visual… Words are for poets.”

ibach was born and grew up in Yakima, Central Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 1972. He taught art at Spokane Falls Community College for over fifteen years. In addition to teaching, he was a Jesuit brother for ten years during the 1960s and he worked many odd jobs such as a hospital orderly, sod buster, cattle brander, grave digger, and cabinet maker. These experiences shaped his point of view as an artist.