Artwork copyright Christopher Pauley. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Christopher Pauley. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

The Empire Builder, 2000

Christopher Pauley
American (born 1954)

Location: Washougal High School, Washougal

About the Artwork

The Empire Builder is a playful sculpture by artist Christopher Pauley. Inspired by the nursery rhyme story of Humpty Dumpty, he created this piece using blacksmithing, welding, and repoussé techniques (hammering from the reverse side to create a design). Pauley notes, "I wanted to create a whimsical artwork that would express a new metaphor about a singular achievement. Imagine Humpty Dumpty, if you will, standing on top of the wall he built himself. The brick in his hand could represent civilization (empire), quality (or lack of), strength (or fragility), sense of accomplishment, wonder, yearning for a better world… etc."

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

About the Artist

Pauley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Urban Studies from the University of Texas, Austin in 1977. He apprenticed at the Jim Millar Metal Studio in Dallas, Texas. He later studying welding and metal fabrication at the San Antonio Art Institute and at a blacksmithing workshop in Allyn, on southern Puget Sound, Western Washington.