Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of North Thurston Public Schools, 2021.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of North Thurston Public Schools, 2021.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of North Thurston Public Schools, 2021.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

Artwork copyright David Joyce. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2022.

The Sky is the Limit, 1995

David Joyce
Canadian (born 1946, died 2003)

Location: Komachin Middle School, Lacey

About the Artwork

The Sky is the Limit is a photographic installation created by artist David Joyce for Komachin Middle School. Thirty cutout figures comprise the installation. The figures are portraits of Komachin students, posed like birds flying. Joyce notes in his proposal, "The overall mood of the piece would be one of joy, excitement, and freedom. The subjects in the photographs could be selected from the current student body and would reflect the social, cultural, and racial diversity of the student population."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with North Thurston Public Schools.

About the Artist

Artist David Joyce (1946-2003) created sculptures made from enlarged photographic cutouts. These artworks depict realistic, life-size figures that are flat and monochromatic. His compositions highlight the boundary between the real and the abstract. Joyce studied at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he received a Master of Fine Arts degree. He taught at Lane Community College in Eugene for twenty five years.