Feel the cool bronze beneath your fingertips. This is A Salish Welcome a 16-foot tall sculpture. It stands proudly near the Salmon Bay Ship Canal. Marvin Oliver created this masterpiece in 2010. It celebrates the area’s rich history and the importance of salmon.
The sculpture depicts a Salish figure. The figure wears a ceremonial robe. It holds a large disc aloft. The disc features stylized aluminum salmon. They circle glass discs representing salmon eggs. The base is stone. It’s covered in corroded metal. Reliefs of swimming salmon adorn it.
Oliver a Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo artist is also a professor. He teaches American Indian Studies and Art at the University of Washington. He’s an Adjunct Curator too. He curates Contemporary Native American Art at the Burke Museum. His artistic skill shines in A Salish Welcome. The design beautifully blends traditional forms with modern media. It respects the indigenous people. It highlights the endangered salmon of Salmon Bay.
Notice how the figure faces the canal. Salmon migrate through the fish ladder of the nearby Chittenden Locks. The sculpture reminds visitors of the life teeming beneath the waves. The natural light pouring through the glass discs creates a rainbow effect on sunny days. It’s a truly magical sight. A Salish Welcome stands as a testament to art’s ability to connect us to history and nature. It is a powerful reminder to preserve our natural world. It’s a vibrant welcome to this special corner of Seattle.