Seattle's waterfront has recently been graced with a new, permanent addition courtesy of artist Oscar Tuazon. The installation stretches from Columbia Street to Spring Street and is as much a nod to the city's history as it is a fixture for future generations to admire and ponder. According to the City of Seattle, the project, in collaboration with local Coast Salish artists Randi Purser, Tyson Simmons, and Keith Stevenson, intertwines the architectural and sculptural methods of Salish house posts, solidifying an Indigenous presence along the bustling bike path.
The artwork consists of 22 pairs of sculpted Douglas Fir post-and-beam structures, each standing testament to a partnership with and respect for the local Suquamish and Muckleshoot Indian Tribes. A living reminder of the Salish Sea's original inhabitants, whose architectural legacy once dominated these shores, the installation seamlessly integrates with the landscape. One set of carvings depicts an infant Chief Sealth in the protective embrace of his mother Sholeesta while another honors a warrior, embodying "strength and honor for the people," as the City of Seattle reports.
The sculptures span three blocks, each set punctuating the walkway with a rhythm that invites passersby to reflect on the region's deep historical roots. As the artwork awaits the installation of two cedar carvings in early 2025, Tuazon's vision is unfolding in real time. Sourced from local lumber and carved on the Kitsap Peninsula, these wooden structures are treated to withstand the marine climate, ensuring their longevity as a canvas for future Coast Salish artist collaborators, as per the city's official website.
Seattle-born artist Tuazon blends his passion for the Lushootseed language with minimalist, conceptual, and architectural art. His latest project, funded by the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Central Waterfront 1% for Art, personal donations, and Waterfront Local Improvement District funds, enhances public spaces, reflecting the city’s diversity and creativity.
