Artwork copyright David Franklin. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright David Franklin. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright David Franklin. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright David Franklin. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Tentacle Panel, 2018

David Franklin
(American, born 1972)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Tentacle Panel by Northwest artist David Franklin symbolizes all of the arms that nurses need to able to care for every patient and to complete every task. It is located in the Nursing Simulation Lab, a beautiful and modern building where nursing students first practice their new career. It is a place of transition between learning and practice. Franklin notes, “Nurses are often the real face and hands of medicine and healing. These are the people that are with the patients and tasked with preforming so many of the procedures and tasks that are ordered.” The tentacles in the artwork also reference the famous Giant Pacific octopus and another world that is nearby, just down the street and under the surface of Puget Sound.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

David Franklin creates public art in a variety of styles and materials, including metal, glass, and wood. He seeks to create an instant connection between the viewer and his art. Franklin is a non-Native artist, and some of his artworks are influenced by Native American Northwest Coast styles.

Franklin grew up in Denver, Colorado, and started his art career with graffiti. In the early 1990s, he moved to the Pacific Northwest. He began a ten-year apprenticeship with non-Native artist and carver Duane Pasco, who has made the study of Indigenous artistic traditions of the Northwest Coast his life’s work. Franklin learned graphic and sculptural skills, and he gained experience with large-scale art fabrication and installation. He lives and works in Indianola, on the Kitsap Peninsula, southern Puget Sound, Western Washington.