Artwork copyright Ken Patecky. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Ken Patecky. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

The Meeting, 1987

Ken Patecky
American (born 1936)

Location: Okanogan High School, Okanogan

About the Artwork

Artist Ken Patecky carved his sculpture The Meeting from concrete. He carved three adult figures gathered together, with playing children at their feet. One figure covers their eyes, one their ears, and one their mouth. This visual symbol references the proverb "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." To create this piece, Patecky researched local history and the many Interior Salish Tribes and languages spoken in the Okanogan region, in Northern Central Washington. During Patecky's research, a local museum guide told him that "Okanogan" meant meeting place.

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

About the Artist

Portland, Oregon-based artist Ken Patecky creates hand-carved concrete sculptures. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Portland State University in 1964.