Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Raven Who Stole the Sun, 1979

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

Location: Yelm High School, Yelm

About the Artwork

Raven Who Stole the Sun is a hand-carved and painted cedar wood sculpture by late Native American artist and master carver Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta). He used traditional Northwest Coast designs, colors, and motifs. The active composition features formline salmon surrounding circular cast bronze reliefs.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Yelm Community Schools.

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.