Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1991.

Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1991.

Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2014.

Celestial Image, 1983

Neil McWee
American (born 1957)

Location: Tyee Educational Complex, SeaTac

About the Artwork

Artist Neil McWee captured the diptych Celestial Image in Fraser Park, California near the San Andreas Fault. He took the image in the winter of 1983 at sunset, at a time when active volcanos in Mexico left ash in the air. He notes, "Over a fault, when combined with volcanic ash dust you will get the most amazing sunrises, sunsets and cloud formations. When I saw this, I was further back up the road from this location when it started to happen… I raced across this roller coaster road as fast as I could to get to this location, and scampered up on the side of the road cut, set up the tri-pod and was able to have 5 minutes in which to make the photograph in."

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

About the Artist

Pacific Northwest photographer Neil McWee captures richly detailed images of the natural landscape.