Artwork copyright Kurt Norlin. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Primal Reach, 1990

Kurt Norlin
American (born 1939)

Location: North Lake Middle School, Lake Stevens

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Primal Reach is a photograph by artist Kurt Norlin. It is part of his 1990 series created as a spiritual quest to reconnect with the natural world. He notes, "Influenced by my study of Native American beliefs, I wanted to explore photography as a way to objectify my search, and to create works of art that might lead others to reevaluate their relationship with the natural and the spiritual." He created the image by placing objects on his studio wall. He hand-painted the photograph to add color.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Photographer Kurt Norlin grew up in a family of artists. Of his photographic interests he notes, "Rather than pure descriptive fact, I wish to search for the essence of the location, person, or event." He is based in Corvallis, southwest Oregon. Norlin first studied art at Oregon State University. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Central Washington University in 1974, where he studied under late professor and photographer James Sahlstrand. He has served as a photography instructor for Oregon State University, Linn-Benton Community College in Corvallis, Oregon, and Yakima Valley College in Yakima, Central Washington.