Artwork copyright Terry Furchgott. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Terry Furchgott. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Terry Furchgott. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Terry Furchgott. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Raven Spirit Mobile, 2004

Terry Furchgott
American (born 1948)

Location: Illahee Elementary School, Vancouver

About the Artwork

This artwork is part of ‘Raven Spirit Mobile’, a five-piece mobile created by artist Terry Furchgott. She created it for Illahee Elementary as a tribute to the school’s values and the area’s Native American heritage and history. A mobile is a sculpture that hangs balanced in the air with each part moving freely. This sculpture features five different winged animals. The animals represent important symbols in the cultures of the Native American Tribes of the Pacific Northwest. In each part, a circular emblem shows an image of the animal inspired by the artistic style of the Northwest Coast. This part features a brown bear with adults and children riding on its back. It symbolizes respect shared between man and animals. The artist notes that the bear “in this mobile represents the Earth. Children and bear cubs are shown here helping and taking care of each other as they ride on the bear’s back…”

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

About the Artist

Terry Furchgott creates richly colorful figurative paintings, murals, and installations that explore the dynamics of human relationships and communities.
Furchgott received an honors degree in art history from Radcliffe College, Harvard University in Massachusetts, and studied at Camden Arts Center in London, England.