Artwork copyright Louise Williams. Photo courtesy of the artist.

A Fable, 2002

Louise Williams
American (born 1947, died 2004)

Location: Arthur H. Smith Elementary, Grandview

About the Artwork

A Fable is a pastel drawing by artist Louise Williams. It is inspired by an ancient myth found in many different cultures of a giant tortoise carrying the earth on its shell. In this composition, a tortoise carries a bird-filled tree on its back. The piece also hints at the fable of the tortoise and the hare. Williams noted, "It is my hope as an artist that the image is suggestive of the fables I had in mind, yet ambiguous enough that viewers will feel compelled to create their own narratives, and in the process discover meanings embedded in the drawing."

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

About the Artist

Northwest artist Louise Williams (1947-2004) created artworks informed by everyday life, by travel, and by her experiences as a woman and mother.
Williams received a Bachelor of Arts from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and a Master of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from Central Washington University in Ellensburg.