8/14/08

Tulalip artists fill new hotel with tribal lore

by Beckye Randall

Tulalip master carver James Madison takes a break from his work on this carving, a modern interpretation of a traditional Welcome Figure, that will be on display at the Tulalip Resort Hotel for its grand opening.

The Tulalip Resort Hotel offers a grand backdrop for magnificent displays of tribal art. Master carvers James Madison and his uncle Joe Gobin have been working around the clock to finish the pieces destined for the hotel’s public areas.

Three magnificent story poles fill the entry, created by Madison, Gobin and a crew of native craftsmen from a single old-growth cedar tree. The welcome figure stands with his palms facing skyward, offering a traditional Tulalip greeting. Two flanking poles commemorate the history of tribal gaming and the people’s connection with the earth and all its creatures.

“The poles represent traditional house poles that would be found inside a longhouse,” Madison explained. “Each one tells a story about our culture and our history.”

The old-growth cedar tree that became the trio of story poles was about six feet in diameter and 135 feet tall. It was logged in Darrington and brought to the carvers’ workshop just south of 116th Street.

Spindle whirls decorate outside walls and indoor hallways, and prints of the traditional figures create framed art for guest rooms. An array of cedar masks, baskets and paddles created by local high school students are on display near the conference center, and the newly-opened gift shop offers beadwork and other native crafts for sale.

A spectacular stained glass mural illustrating the traditional home of the Tulalip people as seen through the eye of a returning fisherman, designed by Madison and crafted by glass artist Bob Mitchell, serves as a breathtaking backdrop for the reservation desk.

In fact, the number of pieces commissioned and designed by the Tulalip artists is astounding. Madison even created the design used in the hotel’s hallway carpeting, which represents flowing rivers, mountains and the importance of salmon and whales in the tribes’ culture.

“We created all the major commercial pieces,” said Madison. “But we also wanted to create opportunities for other tribal artists whose work is shown in the Gallery Lounge.”

James Madison achieved master carver status at a young age, and he brings a modern sensibility to the traditional native artwork. A 1992 graduate of Everett High School, he studied fine art at the University of Washington, graduating in 2000.

“My father (Richard Madison) was an abstract painter, and he introduced me to Picasso and Van Gogh,” said Madison. “But he also gathered us around the dinner table and told us traditional stories about our people and our heritage.”

Madison began carving when he was eight years old, under the watchful eye of his father and grandfather, Frank Madison Sr., and his uncle, Joe Gobin. Over the years the young artist has developed his own style, adding modern elements and materials into traditional designs.

“I like to add glass and metal to the cedar carvings,” said Madison. “Those are old materials too, and they help tell our stories in an elemental way.”

Madison has worked with glass blowers to create shapes that resemble moon images to be applied to one of his last works for the hotel. He starts by carving the icon in negative relief, then creating a mold for the glass artist. The massive circular carving represents the welcome figure, similar to the traditional entry totem but with a more stylized interpretation.

“The pieces we create are for more than just decoration. They tell the stories of our people here,” said the young artist. “The three poles in the hotel entry carry important information about us, who we are. They represent our culture.”

Madison is a sought-after artist who has produced public artwork for the City of Everett and the City of Arlington, in addition to exhibiting at galleries in Seattle. He has been asked to create artwork for the planned Marysville Historical Museum, along with pieces for the Tulalip Tribes’ Hibulb Cultural Center and administrative complex.

But right now he’s working on a deadline, pushing himself to finish the last few pieces before the hotel’s grand opening August 15.

“Then I’m taking my family on a vacation,” said Madison, whose wife Jessica and two young sons, Jayden and Jevin, have also sacrificed family time during the hotel project. “We’ll either go to California or Hawaii. I don’t really care, as long as I can sleep in and relax a little,” said Madison with a tired grin.