Artwork copyright Karen Kaufman. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Karen Kaufman. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Rain, 1982

Karen Kaufman
American (born 1938)

Location: Redmond Middle School, Redmond

About the Artwork

Rain is a fiber wall hanging created by artist Karen Kaufman. She spun the wool yarn by hand from a breed called Jacobs's sheep raised on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands. She notes, "The fleece is naturally mottled with browns, greys and whites. Rain was woven on a small loom in narrow strips, with duck feathers - gathered on Bainbridge Island - added after the weaving was completed. The combination of the local wool and feathers, and the narrow hanging strips was intended to evoke a feeling of the northwest and its characteristic 'Rain.'"

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

About the Artist

Karen Kaufman creates textile weavings and tapestries. She studied at the University of Washington and the Factory of Visual Arts, both in Seattle, Western Washington. She is based on Bainbridge Island, on Puget Sound, Western Washington