Robert Maki was born in Walla Walla Washington and completed his undergraduate studies at Western Washington University, graduating in 1962. He then went on the University of Washington and taught there for a number of years. Maki began work on Curve/ Diagonal in 1976 and completed in 1979. The minimalist sculpture was installed on Western’s Campus in 1981. Maki has been influenced by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Winslow Homer, and Constructivists Pevsner and Gabo.

Maki’s intent behind creating this piece was born out of his own ever-changing interest in structural theory. Maki was interested in “perceptual issues rather than metaphoric references”, as well as light and movement, when it came to his works. The effects of changing lights and perception were not always available in gallery spaces, so it was particularly special when Maki got to have his piece Curve/Diagonal bought by Virginia and Bagley Wright and given to the Western campus so that he could choose where it was placed. It was difficult for Maki to decide where to put the piece because of its large size and heavy, industrial metal material, so a wooden replica was made and positioned in several areas before Maki decided to place it above High Street.

“I have always thought my sculpture a fragment completed by the site. If not site-generated, they are positioned or placed to activate the site geometry and reference their surroundings, extending to engage the viewer visually and physically.”

-Robert Maki

The tail end of the sixties boasted both tragedy and triumph as the untimely death of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 was followed closely by the first moon landing in 1969. The 1970s served as a pivotal time for women’s rights—one of the most major events being the legalization of abortion in 1973 and the height of the Cold War continued. In the Art world Andy Warhol was coming to the height of his popularity and social change was influencing many artists to move in new directions.

Video by : Savannah White

Post by : Miranda Sage, Savannah White,  Shaelund Gaffney

Pictures by : Savannah White, Miranda Sage

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