Artwork copyright Andy Wilbur-Peterson and Greg Colfax. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Andy Wilbur-Peterson and Greg Colfax. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Thunderbird, 1995

Andy Wilbur-Peterson and Greg Colfax
Andy Wilbur-Peterson (American | Skokomish, born 1955); Greg Colfax (American | Makah, born 1948)

Location: The Evergreen State College, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Thunderbird is a large cedar sculpture designed and carved in collaboration between artists Andy Wilbur-Peterson (Skokomish) and Greg Colfax (Makah). It is installed at the entrance to the Longhouse at The Evergreen State College, which was built in collaboration with many different Northwest tribes as a gathering place for diverse cultures. Colfax refers to this piece as a "Heritage Figure," representative of the "great bird of thunder and lightning. It represents a powerful truth of many levels."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with The Evergreen State College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Native American artists Andy Wilbur-Peterson (Skokomish) and Greg Colfax (Makah) collaborated on carved sculptural artworks.

Andy Wilbur-Peterson is a member of the Skokomish Tribe and grew up in Shelton, Western Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American studies from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and carves in the Salish tradition.

Greg Colfax is an artist, educator, and member of the Makah Tribe. He lives in Neah Bay, on the Olympic Peninsula in Northwestern Washington. He learned to carve based on the traditions and teachings of his family and community. Colfax studied as an educator in creative writing, with degrees from both Western Washington University in Bellingham, Northwestern Washington, and the University of Washington in Seattle. He has taught in the Native American Studies Program at The Evergreen State College in Olympia.