Artwork copyright Kay O'Rourke. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The Trickster Wants Cherries, 1994

Kay O'Rourke
American (born 1943)

Location: Child Study and Treatment Center, Tacoma

About the Artwork

The Trickster Wants Cherries is part of artist Kay O’Rourke’s series of paintings featuring the mythic figure of the Trickster. She defines the Trickster as a shaman or medicine man able to transform into a bird. She notes that in this composition, the bird symbolizes transcendence and intuition, the ancient tree represents our psychic life, and the fruit symbolizes our creative life.

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

About the Artist

Spokane, Eastern Washington-based artist Kay O'Rourke creates figurative paintings and found-object sculptures. Many of her narrative artworks are inspired by the animals and nature surrounding her farm named "Wake Robin's Rest."