Artwork copyright Jo Fyfe. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Silent Retreat, 1981

Jo Fyfe
American (born 1941)

Location: Oak Harbor Elementary School, Oak Harbor

About the Artwork

Silent Retreat is a mixed media sculpture created by artist Jo Fyfe. She collected beads and natural materials including leather, feathers, and wool. These objects hang from a central "tondo," or circular image and act as charms to protect life in the wild. She notes, "The tondo is a shield, and here it is a protector for the bear. Although it has been shattered or pierced, the bear continues to run and escape his predator… man (or does he?)." 

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Oak Harbor School District.

About the Artist

Born in Omak, Northeastern Washington, non-Native artist Jo Fyfe's artworks are influenced by the heritage of Native American cultures of the interior Pacific Northwest. She earned a Master in Fine Arts degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Eastern Washington, and taught art for many years at Spokane Falls Community College. She is based in Spokane, Eastern Washington.