Artwork copyright Erin Shigaki. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Barry Johnson, 2024.
Artwork copyright Erin Shigaki. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Barry Johnson, 2024.
Artwork copyright Erin Shigaki. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Barry Johnson, 2024.
The Cloud Pavilion 雲の幄舎 (kumo no akusha), 2024
Erin Shigaki
(American)
Location: Kimball Elementary, Seattle
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
The Cloud Pavilion 雲の幄舎 (kumo no akusha) by Erin Shigaki conveys the histories, hopes, and relationships of both Kimball Elementary students and Beacon Hill residents. The artwork references Japanese screens with gold leaf to reflect light, as well as cloud shapes. The fused glass pieces serve as portals into imagined futures and are by Joby Shimomura, a glass artist and Kimball Elementary graduate. Many of the ideas in the artwork come from a student survey that Shigaki gave to students, asking them to describe their feelings about and memories of Kimball Elementary in words and pictures.
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Seattle Public Schools.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Erin Shigaki's art practice focuses on the experiences of communities of color, often the World War II (1939-45) incarceration of her Japanese-American community. She is passionate about highlighting similarities between that history, the detention and family separation immigrants face today, and other systemic violence and injustices that people of color continue to face. She believes that using art to tell stories about these moments can educate, redress wrongs, and heal.
Erin Shigaki was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She is a graphic designer and illustrator by trade. She is also a community activist. She helps run an annual pilgrimage to Minidoka, the American WWII concentration camp where her family was incarcerated, and she is also a part of Tsuru for Solidarity, working to end detention and incarceration for all. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.
ARTWORK DETAILS
| Medium | Fused glass, acrylic paint, and gold leaf on birch and maple plywood panels |
| Dimensions | 22 ft x 13 ft |
| ID Number | WSAC2023.005.00A-R |
| Acquisition Method | Site responsive commission |
| Artist Location | Washington, United States |
Location Information
| Agency | Seattle Public Schools |
| Artwork Location | Kimball Elementary Library |
| WA County | King |
| Placement | Interior |
| Site Type | Public School |
| Address | 3200 23rd Ave South Seattle, WA 98144 |
| Geo. Coordinates | 47.574452, -122.302657 |
| Before Visiting | Some artworks may be located in areas not accessible to the general public (especially in K-12 public schools). Consider contacting the site prior to a visit to ensure access. |
| Map |
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