Artwork copyright Lawrence Beck. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Lawrence Beck. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Lawrence Beck. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Poktalaruk 'huk shuk, 1978

Lawrence Beck
(American | Inuit-Chanagmiut, born 1938, died 1994)

Location: Highline College, Des Moines

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

This striking steel sculpture, titled Poktalaruk 'huk shuk , investigates balance, line and material. It also references Beck's Native Alaskan heritage. Seeming to suggest whale bones, it is a fixture of the Highline College campus.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest sculptor Lawrence "Larry" Beck (Inuit-Chanagmiut, 1938-1994) explored elemental and abstract forms while creating humorous pop interpretations of traditional symbols. He is of Yupik Eskimo heritage. In the 1970s, Beck gained acclaim for his creation of Native-Alaskan "Yup'ik" masks using everyday and found objects.

Beck attended the University of Washington in Seattle. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1964) degree in painting, with a minor in art history and ceramics, and a Master of Fine Arts (1965) degree in sculpture.