Artwork copyright Fred Sodt. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

The Cradle of Civilization Moves West, 1987

Fred Sodt
American (born 1949)

Location: Tacoma Community College, Tacoma

About the Artwork

Artist Fred Sodt composed his still-life painting The Cradle of Civilization Moves West by carefully layering objects symbolic of different cultures and regions to investigate and comment on the developments, influence, and interaction between eastern and western civilization. This piece is an example of a style the artist terms "subjective realism," and he notes that his intention "is for the painting to become alive in the experience of the viewer. I want the viewer's experience of life and the viewer's imagination to be brought into play in the creation of the painting's meaning."

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

About the Artist

Sodt received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University in Bellingham (Northwestern Washington) and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He has taught art at Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College, and other institutions around Washington State.