Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Artwork copyright Earl Davis. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Dale Lang © 2021.

Connections - Woman, Man & Moon, 2021

Earl Davis
American Shoalwater Bay

Location: Department of Transportation - Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, Mukilteo

About the Artwork

Artist Earl Davis created five carved aluminum panels to represent the elements of the world: Earth, Water, Sky, Celestial, Human. This Connections - Woman, Man & Moon panel represents the Celestial. All together, the panels show interconnectedness. They also hint at the traditional Native beliefs that all things are connected to each other and to all of us. Davis notes, “The Wolves and Orcas and Eagles depend on things like salmon and elk to survive. The salmon and elk depend on things like the cycles of sun and moon controlling the seasons. The humans depend on it all, as well as each other for survival, and yet it all depends on the humans to be good stewards to ensure the various parts of nature work together the way they should… The land is shaped by the sea, the sea is moved by the moon. The predators and prey live by the seasons that the sun and moon control. Somewhere along the line humans forgot the connections.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Transportation - Ferries.

About the Artist

Earl Davis is an artist and carver, and a member of the Shoalwater Bay Tribe in Tokeland, Southwestern Washington on the Pacific Coast. His artistic career ranges from small carvings, to large installations, to teaching apprentice carvers. Davis is also a U.S. Marine Corps Combat Veteran and has worked for the Shoalwater Bay Tribe since returning home in 2004. He was honored with a Washington State Governor’s Arts and Heritage “Young Arts Leadership Award” in 2014.