Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Thunderbird, 1976

Marvin Oliver
American Quinault Isleta Pueblo (born 1946, died 2019)

Location: Tumwater High School, Tumwater

About the Artwork

Thunderbird is a carved and painted cedar wood sculpture by Native American artist and master carver Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta). He created it using Indigenous Northwest Coast designs, colors, and motifs. The large panel depicts the thunderbird, a Pacific Northwest creature of power, strength, and protection. The thunderbird is marked by two curved horns or feathers on his head.

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

About the Artist

Oliver was born in Shelton on southern Puget Sound and worked within the traditions of Native American Northwest Coast designs and themes. He was also an important influence on contemporary Native American art and artists. He described his art as "formulated by merging the spirit of past traditions with those of the present... to create new horizons for the future." Many of his artworks express his ideas and Native American stories about life, time, traditions, ancestors, the universe, and his hope for future generations.

Oliver earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in 1970 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1973. He was Professor Emeritus of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington and Adjunct Curator of Contemporary Native American Art at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (both in Seattle). In the 1970s, he began a tradition of an annual “Raven’s Feast” dinner at the University of Washington to celebrate the accomplishments of Native American and Alaska Native graduates. He also gifted one of his prints to each graduate. Raven’s Feast has grown into a cornerstone of the UW Native community.