Artwork copyright Stephen Yates. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Deep Currents, 1994

Stephen Yates
(American, born 1952)

Location: North Thurston High School, Lacey

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Artist Stephen Yates composed the painting Deep Currents to highlight a sense of movement. Energetic brush strokes suggest an underwater scene with many layers of current interacting with reflections on the surface. The artist notes, “It reminds me of a view through tile water with the streaks both vertical and horizontal suggesting fish or seaweed or sticks moving through water. I am also interested in suggesting that there might also be currents of energy that move through certain areas and enliven them. By enlarging the scale and pushing the borders of the image to the edges of the painting it suggests that myself or the viewer is surrounded with the energy moving through the space, like being in front of a window or actually being underwater. It is my intention to create a painting that is both visually exciting and suggestive of the dramatic natural world with its energy and movement.”

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Stephen Yates creates paintings with bold, expressive strokes and abstract imagery. Inspired by landscapes, under water life, and the cosmos, his work investigates color relationships and the interaction of forms. Yates lives and works in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula in Northwestern Washington.