Artwork copyright John Medwedeff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright John Medwedeff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright John Medwedeff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Prow, 2006

John Medwedeff
American (born 1962)

Location: Central Washington University, Ellensburg

About the Artwork

Artist John Medwedeff created the abstract sculpture Prow from forged steel plates. The title and form reference sailing and suggest the prow of a ship. The artist notes that the sculpture also references forms found in the history of agriculture. He states, "At the forge I have developed a vocabulary of line and form suggesting movement and energy with which I explore, through metal, the natural world in relation to the body and to architecture."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Central Washington University.

About the Artist

Illinois-based artist John Medwedeff creates forged sculptures and architectural metalwork. He describes his artistic process as "informed by the traditions and visual language of blacksmithing." He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree in metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.