The Naturalist's Day - Joanne Hammer

Where is it?

Concourse A

This column sits between Yoder's Roaring and Cheng's In Memory of My Father.

About the Art

The artist conveys the tranquility of Vashon Island life in this column for Sea-Tac. The blue deer’s collected stare directed toward passersby, the sweet lamb watching lazily from above, and the curled up and peacefully sleeping dog contrast the bustle contained in the concourse. The animals overlap and their colors deepen near their outlines, creating an atmospheric composition with figures that seem to interact with travelers.

“More interested in instinct than idea, I seek an intelligence that is lyrical. There are references I can point to, stories I can tell, but how it is all stitched together is not for me to say. The making of the work goes deeper than reason allows.” – Joanne Hammer

The Details

Artist

Joanne Hammer

Date

2004

Medium

Mosaic column (smalti, marble)

Dimensions

Approximately 10' in circumference (3' diameter) x 20' high

Did you know?

Hammer's mosaics are all translated from painting or drawing in order to achieve, the artist believes, "a nuance and painterliness and a richness of color."

About the Artist

Joanne Hammer has familial ties to this area that date back to the 1880s. Born and raised in the Northwest, the artist is known throughout the region for her large metal or mosaic pieces and her textile designs. Hammer's artistic development is indebted to the influence of her grandfather's collection of Salish baskets and Alaskan carvings.

Short Bio

Joanne completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington and earned her M.F.A. from the University of Hawaii. Her artwork is layered with references to the land in the Northwest, time spent in the tropics, traveling to places of quiet beauty, and the history and daily experiences of her life. She lived in Honolulu following her graduation to work as a textile designer and returned to Washington in 1981. Her works on paper and metallic wall sculptures are featured in the public collections of the Seattle Arts Commission, Bellevue Arts Commission, Washington Arts Commission, and the King County Regional Justice Center. Hammer's artwork is also included in many Northwest corporate collections.

Similar Artwork

Work by Joanne Hammer

Another example of a public piece in which Hammer demonstrated her talents in glass mosaic, entitled Common Ground, is located in the ninth floor elevator lobby of the Seattle Justice Center. This piece echoes a theme of common humanity. To see this work, please visit Connected Stories below.

The Naturalist's Day - Joanne Hammer

Hammer's column details the reveries that often occur in Washington state.