Thirteen Ways of Looking At A Blackbird

This work, based upon the poem of the same name by Wallace Stevens, was a major commission in 1984 for the artist. With this work, Spafford “wanted to give a sense of what visual art can do that the performing arts can’t do.” He is referencing the sequential nature of music and theater by splitting the work into 13 separate panels (one per stanza), echoing the “act” or “movement” of theater and music.

“Spafford’s mural is a fine example of his unique style, which is often reminiscent of black paper cutouts applied to white paper. At first glance they appear rather simple, but further study reveals a combination of energetic and sometime sensual forms.” — Art in Seattle’s Public Places: An Illustrated Guide

Click here to read the Wallace Stevens poem. 

Location: Kreielsheimer Lobby, between entrances to Aisles A and B