Artwork copyright Carl Chew. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Carmen, 1994

Carl Chew
American (born 1948)

Location: Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia

About the Artwork

Carmen is a large-scale woven rug designed by artist Carl Chew. Rug makers fabricated the piece in Kathmandu, Nepal. The artist created the colorful design using a computer graphics program. The whimsical design features objects you might find on an artist's desk. Chew notes, "On the paper pad, the artist has been working on a portrait of Carmen Miranda, a famous dancer, singer, and actress in the 1930s and 40s. Carmen Miranda was best known for her hats made of fruit. You probably have noticed a lot of bugs on the rug too. My parents were zoologists and studied bugs. When I was young, I always had bugs all over my desk."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Arts Commission.

About the Artist

Carl Chew creates artworks that tell stories in a variety of materials, including art "postage" stamps, wool rugs, prints, and more. His artworks are characterized by their pop style, humor, and bold colors. In his own words, "I like to come right up to that edge where you’re not sure if you’re seeing fiction or not-fiction." He calls himself "The World’s Most Famous Unknown Artist."

Chew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology (1969) and a Master of Fine Arts degree (1975) in printmaking and video from the University of Washington in Seattle. From 1985-2000, he ran The Contemporary Carpet Center, a rug factory in Nepal that made rugs for himself and other artists. From 2001-2017, he taught middle school science for Seattle Public Schools. He is based in Seattle.