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Birds of Paradise

Alfredo Arreguín

Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center

Rich, colorful patterns celebrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Colorful, intricate painting of birds perched on and flying around blossoming branches against a vibrant, swirling blue sky with decorative patterns and floral motifs. The artwork is framed in black.
Alfredo Arreguín (1935-2023). Birds of Paradise, 2012. Oil on canvas. Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, Seattle, WA. King County Public Art Collection. Photo: joefreemanjunior.com

“Flying jewels” from Indonesia to Australia inspired Alfredo Arreguín to create Birds of Paradise, a work that captures his enduring amazement and delight at their grace, flight, song, and plumage.

“I have been fascinated with these flying miracles most of my life,” Arreguín said, “and they appear in my paintings as memories of my childhood, of my travels and my daily walks and communion with nature.” 

About the Artist

Born in Michoacan, Mexico, in 1956 Arreguín (1935–2023) moved to Seattle and adopted the city as his home. After serving in the Korean War with the United States Army, Arreguín enrolled in the University of Washington, where he was mentored by Alden Mason, Norman Lundin and Michael Spafford and created alongside artists including Dale Chihuly, Chuck Close, and Roger Shimomura. Arreguín went on to have a six-decade career, becoming a leading Latin American artist known for his vibrant and richly patterned paintings depicting Mexican culture and the natural world. His work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Seattle Art Museum, among many others.

Alfredo Arreguín (1935-2023). Birds of Paradise, 2012. Oil on canvas. Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, Seattle, WA. King County Public Art Collection. Photo: joefreemanjunior.com
 
 

About the Location

Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center

4Culture believes in juvenile justice reform that results in zero youth detention. We also believe artists can lead the way in enacting this change, as culture-bearers, storytellers, and community-builders. Every single artist involved with the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center project has demonstrated a commitment to uplifting young people. Likewise, all…

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