Artwork copyright Nomi Kaplan. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Brooklyn Illuminations #3, 1985

Nomi Kaplan
(Canadian, born 1933)

Location: Pierce College - Fort Steilacoom, Lakewood

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Brooklyn Illuminations #3 is a colaged photograph by artist Nomi Kaplan. She captured part of the image in a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. It is part of Kaplan's "Brooklyn Illuminations" series where she used collage to pose historical figures from famous artworks into modern settings. She notes, "The graffiti is a means of communication. It is also a call for attention. It serves notice that all is not well. […] Like the graffiti it incorporates, my work asks to be decoded, interpreted and understood or questioned according to the viewer's imagination, experiences and political consciousness."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Pierce College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Vancouver, British Columbia-based artist Nomi Kaplan creates photographs, photo collages, sculptures, and video art.
Kaplan was born in Lithuania, Northeastern Europe, and immigrated with her family to Canada in 1939, fleeing Nazi persecution. She has lived in Vancouver since 1955. Kaplan graduated from the Vancouver School of Art (now known as the Emily Carr University of Art and Design). She served as a teacher and lecturer at the Emily Carr College of Art and the University of British Columbia (both in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), among other institutions.