Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Andrew Leicester. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Cobumora, 1984

Andrew Leicester
British (born 1948)

Location: Washington State University, Pullman

About the Artwork

Cobumora is a sculptural plaza created by artist Andrew Leicester for Washington State University. A site-specific installation, its imagery and themes relates to the disciplines of veterinary medicine and pharmacology taught in the adjacent buildings. It features a brick courtyard with arched pillars and multiple symbolic statues of animal figures. The title is a portmanteau word that combines Cow, Bull, Mouse, and Rat. The imagery references many different healing myths and rituals from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia. Viewed from above, the courtyard suggests a bull’s skull. Pillars are inscribed with pharmaceutical symbols. Two halves of a cow forms a bench. Chiron the centaur, known in Greek myth for his skill in medicine, holds two snakes. The snakes reference the Staff of Asclepius, the ancient Greek symbol for medicine. Two black cats guard one entrance, topped by five rats. The entrance is paved with stones that resemble mice. Tiles feature impressions of tools and bones. A horse figure represents medieval (450-1450) German methods of administering medicine. Two dogs designed in an ancient Syrian style guard the west entrance.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State University.

About the Artist

Artist Andrew Leicester creates site-specific art installations for public spaces. Born in England, Leicester immigrated to the U.S. in 1970 and received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1973. He lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota.