Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1994.

Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Rejuvenating the Way #1, 1994

Neil McWee
American (born 1957)

Location: Pioneer Valley Elementary, Spanaway

About the Artwork

Rejuvenating the Way #1 was taken by photographer Neil McWee in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state, and captures burned tree trunks devastated by wildfire, as well as new growth on the forest floor. The title of this series of photographs references the Chinese "Tao" and the notion of finding harmony with nature. McWee states, "these photographs deal with not only the philosophical aspects of us as individuals, redeveloping our lives, putting our lives back together and moving forward, but also environmental implications of restructuring, letting the environment heal itself, repair itself, and generate a new force."

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

About the Artist

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