James Madison

(American | Snohomish | Tlingit, born 1973)

Tulalip Tribes member James Madison (Snohomish and Tlingit) is a master wood carver. He also works in glass, bronze, and stainless steel, and seeks to combine the new with the old. Madison notes that he is “always thinking of new ways to add a modern twist to a traditional piece. This allows for me to help to keep my culture alive. As we move into the future, so do the teachings of my ancestors.”

Madison was born into a family steeped in traditional Salish and Tlingit Northwest Coast Native art. He began carving when he was 8 years old, learning from his grandfather Frank Madison (1923-2002), uncle Steve Madison, and father Richard Madison (born 1952). He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in 2000, followed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt School of Fine Arts in 2004 (both in Seattle). His studies included courses in Native American Northwest Coast art history; Northwest Coast two-dimensional design and carving; metal sculpture; and glass blowing, fusing, and casting.