St. Ivo alla Sapienza, Rome, 2001

Judith Poxson Fawkes
(American, born 1941, died 2019)

Location: Washington State University - Vancouver, Vancouver

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

St. Ivo alla Sapienza, Rome is a colorful, geometric, hand-woven tapestry by the late textile artist Judith Poxson Fawkes. The tapestry was woven using a double cloth method, where two layers of woven cloth are joined at intervals within the weaving method. The title refers to the name of a church in Rome, Italy, which means "Saint Ivo of Wisdom." The tapestry's design is based on the hexagonal, geometric pattern of the church's marble floor, designed by Baroque architect Francesco Borromini in the 1600s.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Portland, Oregon-based textile artist Judith Poxson Fawkes (1941-2019) created elaborate, hand-woven tapestries that explore architectural and geometric forms, as well as the interplay of light and color.
Poxson Fawkes' tapestry artworks highlight the figurative possibilities of loom weaving. She designed her compositions using gridded drawings on graph paper. She often used a bird's eye viewpoint and played with the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface by showing multiple sides and shadows of objects.
Poxson Fawkes earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1963 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan in 1965. She moved to Portland, Oregon in 1972, with her husband, artist Tom Fawkes. She taught weaving at four colleges in the Portland area, including Lewis & Clark College. In 1984, she became a full-time studio artist. Her tapestry artworks have been exhibited all across the United States and are in many collections, including the American Crafts Museum in New York City.

ARTWORK DETAILS
MediumLinen tapestry
Dimensions2 ft 7 in x 4 ft 5 in
ID NumberWSAC2003.060.000
Acquisition MethodDirect purchase
Artist LocationOregon, United States
Location Information
AgencyWashington State University
Artwork LocationWashington State University - Vancouver
McClaskey building , Lobby, 1st floor
WA CountyClark
PlacementInterior
Site TypeUniversity
Address14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98686
Geo. Coordinates45.730499, -122.638029
Before VisitingSome artworks may be located in areas not accessible to the general public (especially in K-12 public schools). Consider contacting the site prior to a visit to ensure access.
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