Tributary: A Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson Solo Exhibit

First Thursday Art Walk & Exhibit Opening: May 1, from 5-8PM!

This month at Stonington Gallery, we present Tributary, a solo exhibit of works by Puyallup/Tulalip artist Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson. These works represent the culmination of Shaun’s time spent reflecting on the important master artists who, from the earliest part of his career until the passing of many of them, mentored him, guided him, and educated him on the intricacies of the various Northwest Coast art styles: Nuu-chah-nulth/West Coast, Makah, Tlingit and other northern styles and, of course, his ancestral southern Coast Salish. With these works, designed and created over the course of this past year, but possible only for having studied and learned so closely and carefully from these important mentors, Shaun pays homage to these artists who came before him, whose shoulders he stands on and whose footsteps he follows steadfastly and honorably.

In making these works, Shaun contemplated life and art, family and friends in a whirlwind, expressing himself by text and email at all hours of the night—sending images of a newly designed piece and works-in-progress accompanied by dream-state ruminations—stream-of-consciousness poems that encapsulated his thoughts, ponderings, reflections on those who inspired the artwork, memories of time spent together—artwork and writings that emerged from a rhythm of grief, learning, music, and generational purpose.

What emerged from this time of contemplation and energetic creation is an incredible body of mostly two-dimensional works that pay tribute not only to the masters who taught him how to understand and work within those design systems specific to the Northwest Coast, but also, these important figures in his life who guided him towards being a human with integrity and an artist with passion and vision.

We at Stonington have also been working with Shaun from the early days of his artistic career. We cherish him and are very proud to feature this deeply personal and powerful body of work. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Exhibition Dates: