Marvin Oliver: Rare Works On Paper

Stonington Gallery is proud to present a collection of rare and new hand-pulled serigraphs by master contemporary artist Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta Pueblo Tribes). A long-time educator at the University of Washington, curator at the Burke Museum, and full-time artist, Oliver is known for his innovative experiments in glass, print-making and large scale public art.

Professor of Art and American Indian Studies at the University of Washington since the 1970s, Oliver has created a new print each year to bestow on graduates of the program.

A wide range of these historic prints–many that are long since sold out–are for sale and on display from the artist’s archive in this exhibition. Also on display are select works in glass.

Incorporating the bright colors of his Southwestern heritage into painstakingly silkscreened prints–often made with ten colors or more–he mixes that inspiration with the formal designs of the Coast Salish peoples of the Northwest, resulting in iconic, energetic works. Techniques such as embossing or foiling appear in many print series, bringing the sculptural traditions of his Northwest Coast heritage to bear in 2-D works.

Marvin is the son of Emmett Oliver (Quinault), creator of the massive “Paddle to Seattle” in 1989 that brought tribal members together to recreate epic canoe journeys down the Northwest Coast. The event has become an annual “Paddle” that lands in a different place each summer since. A participant since the early days of the journey, Marvin is able to tie his experiments in glass and modern media to his strong, solid roots in traditional culture.

Exhibition Dates: