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 (detail).

Artwork copyright Marvin Oliver. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

River of Life, 1989

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

Location: South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Late Native American artist and master carver Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta) created River of Life as a celebration of salmon returning to their spawning grounds. Oliver created the sculpture using traditional Northwest Coast designs, colors, and motifs. The artwork is made of Douglas fir wood, which was spun into a cylinder on a giant lathe, and then carved and painted. It also includes circular forms cast in bronze that represent salmon eggs. Oliver notes that the elements of the piece "represent the new generation of life and reminds us of the importance of the balance of nature."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with South Puget Sound Community College.

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.