Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Fledge / Fly, 2020

Kay Kirkpatrick
American (born 1957)

Location: Puget Sound Skills Center, Burien

About the Artwork

Kay Kirkpatrick's Fledge / Fly artwork for Puget Sound Skills Center directs attention to the human hand. The hand is a primary human tool used by all of us and it is a universal element of all topics taught at the high school. Kirkpatrick uses the hands and birds as the artwork's main symbols. She transforms the hands into flying birds, using shadow puppetry, a universal expression found across many cultures around the world. The hands and birds represent the growth and achievement of the students' spirit through their hard work. Kirkpatrick's artwork expresses how the hand becomes transformative to the students’ lives, transcending the academic, and teaching through doing.

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

About the Artist

Kay Kirkpatrick's interest in public art grew from her background in ceramics, mixed media sculpture, and installation art. Her artworks emphasize the interaction between humans and nature via intersecting patterns and meanings. Her public art often includes in depth research about the site's context and culture.
Born in Colorado, Kirkpatrick is now based in Seattle. She received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in ceramics at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She also completed a Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Washington in Seattle, because of her interest in research for many of her public art projects.