Artwork copyright Dale Gottlieb. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Elephant's Child, 1995-1998

Dale Gottlieb
(American, born 1952)

Location: Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Elephant's Child is part of a series of "Story Rugs" inspired by literature and multicultural folklore and created by Northwest textile artist Dale Gottlieb. The artwork depicts the classic children's story by Rudyard Kipling of how the elephant got its long trunk. The 6x6-foot artwork was fabricated in collaboration with a Tibetan Buddhist family who produce rugs using traditional hand-knotting techniques.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist Dale Gottlieb creates rugs, paintings, and children's books that depict narrative imagery inspired by literature, folklore and history. She notes that "My work is about freedom and often inspired by people's stories about their struggle to live free from persecution."

Gottlieb earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in New York State in 1975. She lives and works in Bellingham, Northwestern Washington. In 2003, the Whatcom Museum curated the exhibition "Story Rugs: Tales of Freedom: The Work of Dale Gottlieb".