Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Mary Miss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Untitled, 1990

Mary Miss
American (born 1944)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

About the Artwork

Artist Mary Miss created this sculptural and environmental installation at the University of Washington. It is located in a glade outside of the University Hospital. The piece includes a series of organically shaped shallow pools that collect rainwater and reflect the sky. Steps of a curved terrace lead into a sequence of screens and wooden lattices ending in a pavilion with seating. Moving through the space or viewed from the Hospital above, the viewer experiences a dynamic interplay between open space and protected enclosure.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with University of Washington.

About the Artist

Artist Mary Miss's environmental installations explore issues of sustainability. They engage the natural landscape and elements of urban design. She is the founder of "City as Living Laboratory" which enables collaboration among artists, urban planners, and scientists working on sustainable development projects. She is based in New York City.
Mary Miss has taught at the School of Visual Arts, Cooper Union School of Art, and Sarah Lawrence College (all in New York State), among other institutions. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1966. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree (1968) from the Rinehart School of Sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art.