Artwork copyright Patrick Amiot. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Patrick Amiot. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Patrick Amiot. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Untitled, 1987

Patrick Amiot
(Canadian, born 1959)

Location: Michael T. Simmons Elementary, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

This mural is part of a series of four clay artworks created by artist Patrick Amiot. The sculptures are inspired by the history of the Tumwater area and the legacy of Michael T. Simmons, one of the first white settlers on Puget Sound. Simmons arrived by wagon train in the 1840s and was a founder of the new settlement that they named New Market (now Tumwater).

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Patrick Amiot creates whimsical sculptures and wall reliefs. He also collaborates with his wife, artist Brigitte Laurent, to create "Junk Art" sculptures made from found objects. He is dyslexic and notes that he experienced difficulties in a formal education setting: "I found that working with clay gave me a welcome release from school routines." Amiot studied at Borget College and Collège de Valleyfield, both in Quebec, Canada.