Artwork copyright David Green. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The Plateau of Emerging Light, 1994

David Green
(American, born 1951)

Location: Monte Cristo Elementary, Granite Falls

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The Plateau of Emerging Light is an abstract painting by artist David Green. This piece is part of a body of work inspired by the textures of weathered and decaying surfaces. This piece looks specifically at the effects of water erosion on sandstone landforms. He notes, “In November of 1993, on a trip to Northern Arizona, I had the opportunity to explore the desert around some Anasazi ruins. I became aware of how wind and water etch the surfaces of rock in ways that were similar to the effects on old walls that inspired by earlier work… I was inspired by the knowledge that the process of erosion also created a place for life. Where the eroded channel filled in with topsoil, a desert plant could grow. I find this to be a powerful and poignant metaphor for the opportunity of life.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Granite Falls School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Seattle-based artist David Green creates mixed-media sculptures and paintings that explore the relationship between destruction and creation.

David Green received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1978. He served as a Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Western Washington, from 1979 to 1982, among other teaching positions.