Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Raven's Journey, 1990

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

Location: Raymond Elementary, Raymond

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Late Native American artist and master carver Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta) created the print Raven's Journey using traditional Northwest Coast designs and motifs. The print tells the story of the supernatural and transformative symbolism of the Raven in the Coast Salish tradition. Oliver notes that the bird "was originally white, transformed into Raven Boy to steal the sun, moon and stars from the Box of Daylight. Raven returned to his bird form and flew through the smoke hole of the house to deliver the sun, moon and stars. As he passed through the smoke hole, Raven was covered in soot and remains black to this day." Raven is a common character in Pacific Northwest creation stories and is often a trickster and shape-shifter.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Seattle-based Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo artist Marvin Oliver (1946-2019) was a master carver, sculptor, and printmaker producing works in cedar wood, bronze, glass, steel, and paper.

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.