Artwork copyright Ronna Neuenschwander. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Ronna Neuenschwander. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Excess Baggage, 1982

Ronna Neuenschwander
(American, born 1954)

Location: Olympic Middle School, Auburn

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Excess Baggage is a ceramic sculpture created by artist Ronna Neuenschwander. She based the imagery on a description of a pack camel in “High Road in Tartary” by Abbe Huc. This book records a French priest’s travels between China and Tibet in 1844-46. The artist used a passage from this text to inspire her sculpture. Huc stated, “The maturing of the camel is a long affair. A camel cannot carry even a single rider until its third year; and it is not in full vigor until it is eight years old. Its trainers then begin to try it with loads, which are gradually made heavier and heavier. When the camel can rise with its burden. This is a proof that it can carry it throughout the journey. When that journey is only of brief duration, the driver sometimes loads the animal in excess, and then aids it to rise by means of bars or levers…”

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Portland, Oregon-based artist Ronna Neuenschwander creates figurative ceramic sculptures. Her works are influenced by the artistic motifs and traditions she has encountered during her travels. She notes, "I don't consider myself a history buff, but I am an avid collector of the overlooked and obscure in history. This tendency, along with a delight for the humorous and absurd, has influenced my approach to ceramic sculpture for years." Neuenschwander received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Kansas in 1976.