Underground in September: Charles Fitzgerald, Miracle of Birth

by Charles Fitzgerald

by Charles Fitzgerald

by Charles Fitzgerald

This September, the Underground Gallery at Collective Visions presents Miracle of Birth, a powerful and intimate sculpture series by accomplished Pacific Northwest artist Charles Fitzgerald. Drawing from electron microscope imagery of embryonic development, these works offer a deeply personal and reverent look at what Fitzgerald considers one of the greatest miracles of all: the conception and birth of a human being.

Each sculpture in this series is carved from 1,000-year-old fallen cedar, carefully shaped into forms that echo the earliest stages of life. Ranging from 13 to 18 inches in length, the sculptures embody both scientific wonder and spiritual reflection—inviting viewers to marvel not only at the mystery of human development, but at the enduring connection between nature, time, and life itself.

While Fitzgerald’s work often branches into themes of wildlife and landscape, Miracle of Birth is grounded in quiet awe. Known for his precise draftsmanship and background in everything from technical illustration to large-scale public sculpture, Fitzgerald brings both skill and soul to this deeply contemplative series.

“I’m not purely an abstract artist,” Fitzgerald says. “All of my work begins in nature. Some subjects just take hold—and I follow them.” His lifelong curiosity and hands-on approach are apparent in every detail, from the delicate folds of form to the reverence he holds for the ancient wood itself.

A long-time resident of Puyallup, Fitzgerald’s career spans decades and disciplines, with work shown across the U.S. and Chile. His sculptures are part of numerous public collections, and he continues to contribute to the region’s creative landscape with both passion and generosity.

Miracle of Birth invites viewers to pause and reflect—to consider the unseen beauty of the beginning, and to witness the miracle of becoming through the hands of an artist who sees both the science and the sacred in every shape.