Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Evan Blackwell. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Constellate, 2018

Evan Blackwell
(American, born 1973)

Location: NEWTECH Skill Center, Spokane

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Constellate is a ceramic installation created by artist Evan Blackwell for the commons at NEWTECH Skill Center, part of Spokane Public Schools. The history of Spokane's brick industry and architecture inspired the artist's choice of materials. The installation is comprised of 304 colorful glazed disks that are layered to make 142 unique clusters. The clusters are grouped into constellations. Blackwell notes, "A constellation can be defined as a group of things of a similar kind, related or held together in a system. By this definition, people can form constellations through their shared ideas, efforts, or affinity for one another. At the NEWTECH Skill Center, the students, staff, faculty, and community members form a constellation that deepens in learning, connection, and enrichment over time."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Spokane Public Schools.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist Evan Blackwell creates sculptures and installations. He works with various materials, including ceramics, wood, metal, and recycled plastics. He notes, "The thread that connects my background in craft with my current studio practice is a fascination with materials... my artwork has evolved into an inventive reuse and repurposing of such things as salvaged building supplies, disposable products and post-consumer waste."

Born in New York, Blackwell earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University, New York State, in 1999. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2008. He currently teaches Visual Art at The Evergreen State College in Olympia. He was previously an instructor at Pottery Northwest in Seattle and the University of Washington, and an artist-in-residence and instructor at the Pottery Workshop in Shanghai, China.