Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Boomerangs, 2009

Michael Dupille
American (born 1955)

Location: Daybreak Primary, Battle Ground

About the Artwork

Boomerangs is one of four "glass painting" wall sculptures created by artist Michael Dupille for Daybreak Primary School in Battle Ground. The plants and animals of Southwestern Washington inspired this artwork. In this piece, he celebrates the springtime return of migrating geese. He paired the geese with blooming rhododendron flowers. The active volcano Mount St. Helens completes the scene. Dupille creates his “glass paintings” using different colors of crushed glass called "frit" which he layers and fires in a hot kiln to create a vibrant, sculptural artwork.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Battle Ground Public Schools.

About the Artist

Michael Dupille is a Seattle-based glass artist. He has pioneered different glass-forming processes and has refined a technique in which he calls "fritography" or "glass painting."
Dupille creates his “glass paintings” by drawing on a blank piece of glass. He mixes various sizes and colors of crushed glass called "frit", applies it to the glass surface, and fires it in a kiln. He repeats this process several times, building up the image with layers of colored glass to create a vibrant, sculptural artwork.