Artwork copyright Claudia Fitch. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Claudia Fitch. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The Subject (Body of Knowledge), 1997

Claudia Fitch
(American, born 1952)

Location: Barge-Lincoln Elementary, Yakima

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The Subject (Body of Knowledge) is part of a group of limited edition bookcases designed by artist Claudia Fitch. Conceived to highlight and display books, student projects, or other materials used in a school environment, the form suggests a cartoon-like figure. This piece is part of the Limited Edition Artist’s Designs Project (LEAD), commissioned between 1997 and 1999 by the Washington State Arts Commission in partnership with the Department of Corrections. For this project, six notable Washington artists designed artworks to be produced in multiples specifically for the public school environment. The artworks were fabricated at Department of Corrections’ facilities by inmates and staff.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist Claudia Fitch creates imaginative sculptures and installations for public places. She states, "My work in public art playfully re-invents icons familiar in pop culture and art history, with the intention of linking a contemporary site with its over-arching cultural narratives."
Fitch received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1979. She received the 2014 Twining Humber Award for lifetime artistic achievement.