Artwork copyright Brad Rude. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Brad Rude. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Brad Rude. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Brad Rude. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Brad Rude. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Brad Rude. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

On the Way, 1995

Brad Rude
(American, born 1964)

Location: Alki Middle School, Vancouver

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

On the Way is a cast bronze sculpture by artist Brad Rude for Alki Middle School in Vancouver, Southwestern Washington. The artwork celebrates the cultures and natural history of the Pacific Northwest. Rude patterned the surface of the deer figure with landscapes and symbols of the area such as the Mount St. Helens eruption, an ox, wagon wheels, references to geology, and more. The sculpture also points to themes of transition and change. A basket of apples in a woven basket balances on the back of the deer, who is in mid-step as if walking into the future.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Eastern Washington artist Brad Rude creates narrative sculptures that feature various animals in playful, symbolically rich compositions. He notes, "I portray animals in situations that mimic our own lives. The animals are a stand in for us."

Rude studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art and at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He lives and works in Walla Walla, Southeastern Washington.