Seattle's Waterfront Park is home to a new majestic art installation representing the Coast Salish heritage. Sculptor Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson, a Puyallup Tribe member, has crafted three cedar sculptures of a family, watching over Elliott Bay. According to Art Beat Seattle, the sculptures signify a mother, father, and child, aptly named 'Family' and are strategically positioned near Pier 58.
Peterson, along with assistant Adam McIsaacs, deftly merged traditional carving practices with, modern insights to create the figures. Standing at heights varying from 10 to 12 feet, these sculptural figures present a smooth, continuous form that symbolizes the unity of the family unit. Details have been meticulously etched, incised, and then painted to capture the attention of any onlooker.
When the sun goes down, the sculptures at Waterfront Park come alive with dramatically cast shadows, thanks to the lighting installed below them. This makes 'Family' not just a daytime spectacle but a nighttime marvel as well. Each figure is placed upon its own concrete pedestal, held erect by precision-engineered steel brackets, an effort to combine both strength and artistry.
Upcoming enhancements to the art installation include the addition of powder-coated aluminum panels, which will bear Coast Salish designs to further ground the work to its cultural roots. "Once the artwork is completed, we hope to hold a dedication event," Art Beat Seattle reported, a gesture to formally honor the connection between this modern art and the ancient land it resides upon.
