Artwork copyright Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Allegory, 2006

Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic
Stuart Keeler (Canadian, born 1973); Michael Machnic (American, born 1973)

Location: Tacoma Community College, Tacoma

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic's window installation Allegory presents layered ideas: the brightly colored glass evokes fire (a gathering place where communities share knowledge); the hands form symbols of communication (that occur when language fails us); the Douglas fir calls up the Pacific Northwest (and symbolizes the tree of knowledge); and the antique keys rain down throughout (tools, each unique, for unlocking knowledge).

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Tacoma Community College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic are an artist team who focus on artwork in the built environment.

Stuart Keeler is a sculptor, writer, and curator. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the School at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Michael Machnic creates interactive artworks. He is a former architect and has served as an artist-in-residence at the Kohler Art Center in Wisonsin.