Artwork copyright Morse Clary. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Morse Clary. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Morse Clary. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Morse Clary. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Teeth & Talons, 1996

Morse Clary
American (born 1939, died 2019)

Location: Maple View Middle School, Covington

About the Artwork

Artist Morse Clary created 'Teeth & Talons' as part of a large body of work dedicated to investigating the book as a sculptural metaphor. This artwork comments on our "passion for the stock market" and how it impacts our decision making. Clary notes, "It all started with a kestrel bird who either saw his reflection or the clear blue sky reflected in the [investment office] window he smashed himself into... This started me thinking about his intentions. Did he die of market mania or was [the building] only in his way? What is foremost in our society: Nature or Profit?" The series explores Clary's love of books and "the magical and mystical properties I have always thought them to have."

The book sculpture is made of pieces of a stock report from the Wall Street Journal newspaper, tree bark, the claws of an American kestrel bird, as well as the teeth of a bobcat, a packrat, and a weasel, and one shell piece that looks like a tooth. 

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

About the Artist

Clary grew up in Nebraska and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art at Nebraska State College in Chadron. He was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965. After that, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture at the University of Idaho. He worked as a professional artist for over 50 years and taught art at the college level in Nebraska, Ohio, Idaho, and Washington, including at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Southeastern Washington for 25 years.