Photo courtesy of the Parks and Arts Commission

The city recently purchased this 18 by 9 foot driftwood-log carving of Mother Earth from master carver James Madison. The totem pole will soon join other Native American artwork at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park.

The more James Madison stared at the large driftwood log, the more he could see what was hidden inside of the wood, just waiting to be carved out.

 

“When I first seen this piece of wood, it kind of grabbed my spiritual insides,” he said. “It reminded me of something I would see in the past.”

 

Madison, a master carver and a Tulalip tribal member, said that when he carves, he removes all the wood from what he sees already there inside it.  What he saw inside that log was Mother Earth.

 

“I kept seeing this face in this wood, this woman, and I felt like I had to release her and get her out of there,” he said.

 

The city is adding Madison’s carved, cedar driftwood log to the Native American artwork at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park.  The totem pole is 18 by 9 feet.

 

The totem pole will stand in the center of the southern cul-de-sac of the park, near the water.  Council voted 4-2 to put it there; councilmembers Tony Tinsley and Emily Vanderweilen voted to put it at the entrance of the park.

 

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity from a very talented artist to bring this piece to the city,” said Councilmember Linda Grafer.

 

 “The location on the water is actually the appropriate place because it will not only be seen by visitors to the park, it will also be seen by visitors on the water.”

 

Vanderweilen said she would have preferred that the log go at the entrance of Lighthouse Park, but that both locations would be impressive.

 

“It reminds me of the archway problem at Rosehill,” she said.  “It does block view of the water, and not everybody who drives in the park will be going down to the cul-de-sac, so it’s limited in that spot, whereas everyone would see it at the entrance.”

 

The carving was appraised at $30,000, but Madison offered it to the city for $18,000.  The council voted unanimously on Feb. 22, with Councilmember Randy Lord absent, to purchase the artwork and provide an additional $3,000 for a base.

 

The totem pole joins the Native American artwork, including a metal sculpture, sidewalk art and concrete planters Madison and fellow local artist Joe Gobin are making for Lighthouse Park. Madison’s carvings are in hotels, casinos and parks throughout the Puget Sound region.

 

“It was meant to be here,” said Mayor Joe Marine.  “You have drift log it is carved with, and it needs to be in a beach setting.”

 

The story of Mother Earth, as well as other tribal stories, is represented in the carving on the log, Madison said.  Madison said the stories his dad and grandpa told him as a boy were his inspiration for her face.

 

Madison’s Mother Earth has puckered lips and cheeks, eyelashes, and a forehead decorated with the fins of orca. The elements of her face represent the four elements – earth, wind, water and fire – which are important to Native American culture.

 

He said the carving was a challenge because, usually when he works, he carves the entire log so that there are no blemishes to the wood left.  But with this log, he said the outer beauty of the totem pole was already there.  All he had to do was add the beauty from within, he said.

 

He said that it is probably the only driftwood he’ll ever carve, making the piece unique.

 

Robert Stockton, a member of the Parks and Arts Commission and a local artist, told the council that the contrast between the textures of the natural wood and the finished carving makes it an amazing piece, and perfect for Lighthouse Park.

 

 “We see it both as a piece of nature and a piece of art which reflects and honors Mukilteo’s natural beauty as well as the indigenous people who first called this area home,” Stockton said.

 

Several of the councilmembers were concerned about the possibility of vandalism to the totem pole.  Madison told the council that graffiti on Native American art is incredibly rare.

 

“Totem poles, they’ve been around for a long time, and vandalism – knock on a lot of wood – I really haven’t heard of it,” he said.  “I don’t know if it’s because it’s Native American art and there’s the respect factor, but I haven’t noticed it.”

 

As a precaution, council requested that city staff return with a plan for the safety and protection of the artwork, including the possibilities of added lighting and video surveillance.  Assistant City Engineer Jim Niggemyer said video surveillance could cost the city about $1,500.