Artwork copyright Whiting Tennis. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Whiting Tennis. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Old Abe Icon, 1991

Whiting Tennis
(American, born 1959)

Location: Shoreline School District, Shoreline

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Old Abe Icon is part of artist Whiting Tennis' series of portraits of people active in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Tennis's interest in American history was prompted in the late 1980s by reading Abraham Lincoln's biography. This piece represents Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States (1861–1865). President Lincoln issued the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, ordering the freedom of more than three million enslaved African Americans.

Tennis’ main image of Lincoln is based on a “souvenir painting” of the president. He created this artwork by first carving and printing a woodblock of Lincoln's face. He then added painted elements to add another dimension to the story.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Whiting Tennis creates paintings, drawings, sculpture, and collage that explore structure and symbolism. He often combines wood grains, faux painting, weathered surfaces, and repurposed and discarded materials such as wood and cardboard to blur the line between reality and illusion.
Born in Virginia, Tennis moved to Seattle in 1972 at age thirteen. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1984. After finishing his degree, he traveled around Alaska and Europe. He spent time living in Barcelona, Spain, where the minimalist American painter Frank Box became his mentor. In addition to his art practice, Tennis performs in local rock bands and has worked as a set carpenter for film and theater productions.