Artwork copyright Conrad House. Photo courtesy of the artist.

In the Name of Progress, 1985

Conrad House
(American | Navajo-Oneida, born 1956, died 2001)

Location: Issaquah Middle School, Issaquah

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

In the Name of Progress is part of a series of pastel drawings created by artist Conrad House using an exuberant composition of layered images. This piece was created in Seattle while House stayed with Native American artists Darrell Norman (Blackfoot) and Dorothea Romero (Tlingit). Comprised of an array of overlapping symbols and imagery, House noted that this piece "reads almost like a diary of that time period." It includes symbols and objects related to his Native American heritage.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Conrad House (Navajo and Oneida, 1956-2001) created expressive artworks in multiple mediums, including ceramics, paintings, drawings, and glasswork. In his own words, "What is most important to me is our responsibility to ourselves, each other, animals, plants and other life forms on this living Earth. As our natural world shrinks, so does our ability to maintain a balance with our natural surroundings. What we do now will affect the future and the quality of life to come."

Conrad studied at State University of New York (SUNY) at Johnstown before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of New Mexico in 1980. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Oregon. He has also spent time at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington. His artworks are in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, Portland Art Museum (0regon), and many more.