Artist Statement

In response to James Fitzgeralds’ piece “Rainforest” we decided to create a video. Our hope is that this short compilation of shots taken in our local arboretum encompasses the feelings that the viewer gets when seeing this sculpture. Because James Fitzgerald grew up just a short distance from Bellingham, we assumed that the forests and scenery surrounding us would be similar to the type of setting that the artist was familiar with. Based off of the name of this sculpture and our research surrounding it’s background, we decided to respond with our own interpretation of the “Rainforest.” While it is surely different than what many may think when picturing a rainforest, it felt more accurate to us considering Fitzgeralds’ experience growing up was in a setting with nature that was strikingly similar to that of ours here in Bellingham.

About James Fitzgerald

Born in 1910 in Seattle, WA, James Fitzgerald spent his life in Washington primarily as a sculpture, but also as a painter, printmaker, ceramicist, craftsman and teacher. Fitzgerald earned his Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Washington in 1935. He went on to teach at UW, as well as the Kansas City Art Institute and the Spokane Art Center. In 1940 Fitzgerald married renowned abstract painter Margaret Tomkins, and the two lived together in a studio and proceeded to create a number of collaborations. Fitzgerald’s works can be seen throughout the Seattle Area, such as the Fountain sculpture at Waterfront Park in Seattle, or the Centennial Fountain at Marina Park in Kirkland Washington, as well as a sculptural screen in Seattle Public library. Many of the fountain sculptures have a reoccurring theme and similar structure, making his work unique and recognizable.

Intent Behind Rainforest

James Fitzgerald’s intent with his sculpture “Rainforest” was to reflect what surrounds him, which was big, tall evergreens and nature. He is a Pacific Northwest Native, born in Seattle in 1910. The sculpture was created as a reflection of the temperate rainforest abundant in the Pacific Northwest, and is said to have a secondary affiliation to appreciate a close tie between said area and Japan’s natural rainforest. The piece imitates the towering evergreens and cedars, protruding above 10 feet tall upwards in the main vertical section and certainly as long in the horizontal section that is supposed to represent a fallen tree. The bronze that the sculpture is made of is shaped so that it looks like aged bark with deep ridges and twisting strips, with smaller horizontal sheets that look like branches or growth coming from the larger sculpture. The fallen tree is hollowed out, perhaps to represent a decomposing carcass. When rainfall occurs, the sculpture utilizes this by becoming a fountain, integrating the water that is constantly flowing in the PNW.

Group Members:

Anna Schrieve – Video/Research
Jillian Roth – WordPress/Video/Research
Salvador Rubio – Video/Research

References

“HistoryLink.org.” Milestones for Washington State History — Part 4: 1951 to Present – HistoryLink.org, 14 Mar. 2007, www.historylink.org/File/5382.

The People History — Steve Pearson. “What Happened in 1959 Important News and Events, Key Technology and Popular Culture.” The People History, www.thepeoplehistory.com/1959.html.

“React. Research. Execute!” React Research Execute, wp.wwu.edu/wwuart109/2017/05/15/rainforest-james-fitzgerald-2/.

University Public Art Collection. University Public Art Collection, College of Fine and Performing Arts, 2002.

Song: A Smoothie Robot for my Moon Mansion – Ricky Eat Acid