Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Hoody, 2017

Juan Alonso-Rodríguez
(Cuban, born 1956)

Location: Renton Technical College, Renton

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Hoody is a site-specific sculpture by artist Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. He imagined it as an iconic hood ornament for the Automotive Complex at Renton Technical College. The design references symbols of strength, resilience, and bravery. The artist notes, “With a nod to aerodynamic design, it is a tribute to both faculty and students who together and determinately move forward and upward to achieve their highest potentials and to create a better community.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Renton Technical College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Juan Alonso-Rodríguez creates paintings, drawings, and sculptures in his studio and for public spaces. He notes "As a believer that art has the ability and artists the responsibility to inspire social well-being, I welcome balance between the introspection necessary to formulate ideas in the solitude of the studio and the gift of sharing some of the benefits with society."
Alonso-Rodríguez was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to Miami, Florida with his aunt and uncle at age ten. He was based in Seattle for forty years, from 1982 to 2022. He is an activist for social justice and inclusion in the arts. In 2019, he was honored with a Washington State Governor's Arts and Heritage Award. He served on the Seattle Arts Commission and the Seattle Public Art Advisory Committee.