Artwork copyright Lori Ryland. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Lori Ryland. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

The Steel Butterfly, 1980

Lori Ryland
Nationality not provided

Location: Clark College, Vancouver

About the Artwork

The Steel Butterfly is a photo-realistic painting by artist Lori Ryland. It is part of the artist's "Bridge of the Sky" series, inspired by the Fremont Bridge in Portland, Oregon. She notes, "Fremont symbolizes the striving of humanity against its own flesh-like vulnerability. It embodies our need to be immortal. With it we are reminded of our power, and in conquering our own size we can feel our strength. With it we are lifted up into the sky and are able to observe the smallness of the life below." A 1980 exhibition at Marylhurst University in Oregon featured this painting. The group exhibition focused on the work of seven northwest representational artists.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Clark College.

About the Artist

Oregon-based artist Lori Ryland creates photo-realistic paintings and photographs of urban spaces. Many of her works focus on architectural and engineering elements, such as bridges.
Ryland received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. She runs an art studio and gallery in Sandy, Oregon.