UW HUB Project installed

After several months of work the installation at the University of Washington Husky Union Building (HUB) is now complete. The installation was comprised of four panels in four locations, each concrete slab columns. They are derived from mythology of the Duwamish people of which Chief Sealth was a leader and which Seattle was named after. This was quite significant to my career because for so many decades Seattle has overlooked the art of the Coast Salish people despite the territory being our original origin. I was grateful for the opportunity to give representation of the mythology thru the art of the Coast Salish tradition. There will be more photos posted in the coming days along with the descriptions. The one I am standing with here is the representation of the North Wind.

Happy Halloween 201

As per usual for all who like to, feel free to use for your Facebook cover as this is sized accordingly. Happy Halloween all.

Return from Prague

After just over a weeks time in Prague I return home from my first trip and showing of work in Europe (in person). The trip was funded in part by the US Embassy and Charles University. I owe a great deal of thanks to Kristyna Rehackova for her involvement in bringing the project together. We were also fortunate to have some tours of Prague from her colleague Merik Pavel who was very informative and personable. At first I wasn't sure what to expect but it proved to be a wonderful work trip. I gave a presentation to the faculty on my second day about Coast Salish culture and contemporary art and living. I came to understand that abroad little has been done to speak of the world today with Native peoples living in it. Learning this I switched my presentation to focus more on that aspect and was happy with the outcome. A day or two later I did a small more intimate talk at the Ethnology Museum followed by a demonstration of tools and their purpose. I must admit it was the first time the origin of tool steel was not in question which was a great relief. I was also fortunate the organizers were able to secure freshly cut alder blocks to demonstrate with.

It was a nice departure to visit Vienna and specifically the Mumok. Given my early experience with drafting has always left a draw towards architecture so it was nice to make it over there. I was also provided with a tour of a glass studio which offered me a residency for 2015 and an exhibition so that will be something on the horizon. Above all I am pleased to have served as a diplomat for my community to break some stereotypes and make new friends in another part of the world. I look forward to visiting again.

In the spirit of the ancestors book party

signing the essay section in the book

After a long wait (3 years) following the completion of my essay for the Burke Museum, Bill Holm Center publication In the Spirit of the Ancestors with other contributors including Joe David, Lisa Telford and Evelyn Vanderhoop. The backbone of the project remain Robin K. Wright and Katie Bunn-Marcuse. The book is a collection of essays about aspects in the contemporary Native American art collection at the Burke Museum. My contribution was to address some questions that continued to surface about Coast Salish art and Western Washington Native iconography. The book signing party was a success and as much I wish I could have posted an announcement it was partly private to those involved. The best news however, is the book is up and posted on my site for purchase now so click here for more info.

Spawn has arrived!

Spawn by Qwalsius - Shaun Peterson

When I first started screen printing with friends fifteen years ago I dreamt of a day I would be able to bring this image to life. At that time I was printing with the technique of serigraphy where color blends are limited to one direction, which means one could not or at least to my knowledge, create a color transition that emits from a circle or in this case, the body of the salmon bright in the middle with more saturated edges.

Well it's been a long time and after completing the work on the Mary Bridge Hospital installation earlier in the year I created a rough draft of what I wanted to make and I got around to finishing it. I've learned a lot in those years since I began, not only about the style but composition, when to use color and how to balance it all.

In all the subjects are sockeye salmon stylized in the Coast Salish format. The bodies are much more anatomical than I normally explore but it was something I long had in mind and decided to have fun with the idea including the lightly murky green-blue water as if they are sweeping up the dirt with their tails. So at last, the print is up and available. Click here for more details.