Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Animal Cirque, 1994

Cheri O'Brien
American (born 1958)

Location: Capitol Campus Child Care Center - Maple Park, Olympia

About the Artwork

Artist Cheri O'Brien attended a touring Cirque du Soleil show in Seattle in 1990. Her experience watching this theatrical circus group inspired her Animal Cirque painting. She notes, "From childhood on I've been fascinated with clowns and have drawn, painted, and sculpted them. I even considered applying to the Barnum and Bailey clown college in Florida. These particular clowns in the Cirque du Soleil are called Flounes, simple and curious clowns." This artwork is part of a curated collection by Renee Adams for the Maple Park Capitol Campus Child Care Center in Olympia. The art selection committee wanted the art to be mainly for the children. They wanted to focus on Northwest artists from diverse backgrounds and geographies, and artworks with color and nature-inspired imagery. The Child Care Center has six classrooms, as well as outdoor classrooms and play spaces, for eighty-four children.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Enterprise Services.

About the Artist

Northwest artist Cheri O'Brien creates quirky and humorous narrative folk-compositions. She uses many different materials, including oil painting, paper-mache sculpture, and painted glass. In her own words, "My paintings are reflections of my life as an artist, mother, and observer. I attempt to understand my world with finding humor in beauty and the beauty of humor."