Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

La Ladrona, 2002

Steve Gardner
(American, born 1968)

Location: Washington State School for the Blind, Vancouver

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

La Ladrona is a ceramic relief sculpture created by artist Steve Gardner. He created the different areas of color using colored clay slips, applied while the sculpture before firing it in a kiln. It is part of his body of work that implies a story while leaving the meaning open to interpretation. The Spanish title translates to “the thief.” He notes, “Although the subject of ‘La Ladrona’ depicts a simple scene (a woman picking a pear), there is an attempt of infuse a sense of mystery and uncertainty about the mood into the image.”

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Seattle-based artist Steve Gardner creates relief and free-standing sculptures out of architectural terra cotta clay and other materials. His artworks often focus on the human figure, surface pattern, and a sense of story.
Gardner received his Bachelor of Arts degree in art and biology from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and his Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Central Washington University in Ellensburg.