Decorative and functional

In thinking about images to start this blog, I decided to choose a piece by Nancy Blum, a ceramic artist who works in multimedia and combines decorative elements with everyday objects. Nancy is predominately known for her large scale public works and installations.  She also works more intimately with her drawing and painting often incorporating cast components made of various materials, such as ceramic, bronze, aluminum, and resin.  This image is a manhole cover she designed for Seattle City Lights Utility Company through a commission from the Seattle Arts Commission.  There are manhole covers placed in 50 locations throughout the city.  "Cast in iron, the 'flowers' are meant to graphically represent the city and the "electric" pattern underlying is meant to reference the utility." -Blum, 2001