Bird Vase, 1983
Frank Boyden
American (born 1942)
Location: Office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner, Olympia
About the Artwork
Artist Frank Boyden created Bird Vase as part of a series of vases inspired by the Water Ouzel bird, commonly known as the American dipper. This species of bird can see underwater and feeds on aquatic insects at the bottom of rocky streams. Boyden traced the bird images into the clay and glazed them before firing the vase in a kiln. He then surrounded the vase with burning material, which gave the unglazed areas a smoky black finish.
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner.
About the Artist
Oregon-based artist Frank Boyden creates ceramic, print, and sculptural works that investigate the natural environment. He and his wife Jane Boyden co-founded the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology on the Oregon Coast.Boyden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado College. He earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University in Connecticut.