Artwork copyright William Turner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

The Temple of Dreams, 1989

William Turner
(American, born 1940, died 2021)

Location: Kingston Middle School, Kingston

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The Temple of Dreams is a colorful and energetic painting created by artist William Turner. His exploration of Greek and Roman ruins in North Africa inspired this painting. He notes, "My love of painting from all eras has led me to try lots of different styles but my greatest satisfaction has come from working spontaneously, discovering my images through the painting process and continuously solving problems on the spot, right on the canvas. In addition, I have attempted to integrate into the picture the large gestural brushstrokes of a pure action painting style side by side with concrete elements from reality, such as the column in The Temple of Dreams . The result I hope to achieve is a reality at once familiar and mysterious."

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist William Turner (1940-2021) created paintings that investigate color and form, with a rich color palette and spontaneous and imagined forms. He painted to jazz music and his work demonstrates rhythm, energy, improvisation, and a resolution of opposites. He noted, "My paintings are intended to be simultaneously stimulating and contemplative."

Turner grew up in Tacoma, Western Washington. He studied at Washington State University and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma in 1965 while also working the night shift at a paper mill. He was drafted into the Vietnam War, enrolled in the Naval Officer Candidate School, and served from 1965-1968. After his discharge, he traveled and hitch-hiked through Europe, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania and was deeply affected by Africa’s rich cultures, landscapes, and the fragility of life on the Serengeti. Turner earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1973. He taught art at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle and Tacoma Community College. His paintings are in the collections of the Museum of Northwest Art (MONA) in La Conner, Nordstrom Corporation, Tacoma Art Museum, and more.