Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2021.

Artwork copyright Christie Tirado. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Everything Time Studio, 2021.

Vuelos Efímeros, 2020

Christie Tirado
(Mexican American, born 1990)

Location: Foothills Elementary, Buckley

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Vuelos Efímeros is a woodblock print by artist Christie Tirado. The title means "Ephemeral Flight" in Spanish. The print shows a monarch butterfly, which is the only butterfly to complete a two-way, north-south migration every year. They travel from the northern U.S. and Canada to the southern U.S., Mexico, and California, and back again every winter. Tirado notes, "As the daughter of immigrant parents, I have long admired the Monarch’s strength, determination, and will to traverse mountains and terrains, despite the harsh and uncertain living conditions. Similarly, my parents, as well as millions of other people in this nation have migrated, leaving their homelands in search of a better quality of life. Migration, for both the Monarch and people, represents an act of survival; unlike Monarchs however, many people end up hiding their beautiful wings, living in fear, and oftentimes working in laborious jobs that we now refer to as “essential.” This piece was inspired by the warm colors of resiliency, strength and determination that grace the wings of many Mexican migrant workers—particularly those who cultivate the land of this nation."

Tirado sketched and carved all of the butterflies in this print by hand. The main butterfly is a 4-color print meaning that four different wood blocks were carved and printed, each with a different color ink. The embossed butterfly paper background is a separate, fifth wood block.

This artwork is part of a curated collection by Erin Dengerink in October 2021 at Foothills Elementary, in Buckley, Western Washington. The local art selection committee wanted artworks that are beautiful, intriguing, and spark imagination.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with White River School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist and art teacher Christie Tirado creates prints and drawings that explore Mexican-American heritage and identity. Her art also focuses on the life of Mexican migrant farmworkers, who often go unheard, unseen, and underappreciated. Tirado wants her prints to spark conversations about the realities of the labor carried out by America’s essential workers, and their value and contributions to Washington State and to the nation’s overall economy. She is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico.

Tirado earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 2013 and a Masters in Teaching degree from Heritage University in 2016. She teaches art to elementary and middle school students in the Yakima Valley, Central Washington.