Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Root and Wing, 2013

Sumi Wu
(American, born 1967)

Location: The Evergreen State College, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Sumi Wu's Root and Wing installation depicts the transformation of students during college. Neither plant nor animal, these creatures gain self-awareness and sentience as they prepare to take flight into the world.

The artwork consists of 35 bronze, aluminum, and glass objects that depict the evolving stages of a life form: 14 shells, 8 jellyfish, and 13 planimals.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with The Evergreen State College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Portland, Oregon-based artist Sumi Wu is a sculptor, welder, potter, costume designer, theater set designer, and dancer. Her artworks often focus on ideas about science and technology.

Sumi Wu grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington and in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Studies from Stanford University in California, after starting in the physics department. She went on to study pottery, sculpture, and drawing at the University of Alaska and welding at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.