Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1990.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2023.

Animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Rooster, 1986

Cappy Thompson
American (born 1952)

Location: Foothills Elementary, Buckley

About the Artwork

Animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Rooster is part of artist Cappy Thompson's series of "grisaille" stained glass windows based on Chinese mythology.

According to the legend, when Buddha was ready to leave the earth, he invited the animals to say goodbye to him. Twelve of them came, in a particular order; first rat, then ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and finally boar. To honor them, Buddha named a year for each animal in the order in which they had arrived. This cycle of 12 repeats itself, and people are said to have the characteristics of the animal in whose year they are born. Those born in the Year of the Rooster are characterized as attractive, self-assured, dignified, organized, and decisive.

Thompson notes that "these windows are universal in theme, and there is wit and wisdom in the mythology. Like fables from all over the world, animals have been used as allegories for the human condition, symbols through which we can look at ourselves."

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

About the Artist

Celebrated Seattle-based glass artist Cappy Thompson creates rich "mytho-poetic narratives" in her vibrant and animated stained-glass artworks. Her site-specific installations draw imagery from myths, poetry, and personal expression.
To create her vivid and detailed scenes, Thompson often uses a glass painting technique called "grisaille" where black line drawings are painted on glass, which is then fired in a kiln to make the line drawings permanent. Grisaille has existed since medieval times (approximately 450-1450) and is what you often see in stained glass windows in European churches.
Thompson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Western Washington in 1976. She has taught at art and glass programs around the world from Mexico to Australia to Germany, as well as locally at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.