Artwork copyright dick ibach. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright dick ibach. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Railroad Tressle, 1990

dick ibach
(American | German, born 1940, died 2021)

Location: East Omak Elementary, Omak

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Railroad Tressle is a painting by artist dick ibach. The composition features colorful patterns that make up an abstracted landscape. A figure standing upon a curved railroad points to the entrance of a dark tunnel. This piece is part of the artist's body of images inspired by his memories. He notes, "I find it really healthy to be able to laugh at myself – to poke fun at events that continue to live through some magic, in my memory. These memories with all their varying emotional content, which demand to be celebrated, are good stuff for the activity of art. I hope some of these celebrated events will strike a chord from your past life."

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Spokane, Eastern Washington-based artist dick ibach (1940-2021) created paintings that combine figurative imagery with expressive forms and symbolism. Of his work, ibach states, "The direction of my imagery is often autobiographical. It is my intention to speak of the dichotomy of the human condition: to address both the nobility and stupidity of it all."

ibach earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 1972. He taught art at Spokane Falls Community College for over fifteen years. In addition to teaching, he was a Jesuit brother for ten years during the 1960s and he worked many odd jobs such as a hospital orderly, sod buster, cattle brander, grave digger, and cabinet maker. These experiences have shaped his point of view as an artist.