Another prominent piece the boys had their hands on is the bronze husky that stands prevalent at the University of Washington football stadium . “ While I was working in the clay , Jayden and Jevin were right there helping add clay and texture to it ,” he says .
James has only scratched the surface of where he would like to take his art . He envisions large sculptures all over the world that draw crowds and spark conversations . “ I hope that people gain an appreciation for the people who lived before them ,” he says . “ I hope people do their part to protect our planet , the place that has given us life … protect the creatures that live here , too . Just because they aren ’ t human doesn ’ t mean they don ’ t have souls .”
James is most passionate about creating art that conveys the importance of saving orca whales and salmon . “ I was raised to understand that when those creatures are gone , we won ’ t be far behind them ,” he says .
“ Everyone has a way of standing up for what they believe in — my platform is my art . I hope people are inspired to dive into their culture and figure out how to keep it alive ,” says James . “ It is important to be proud of who you are , to be who you are … you don ’ t have to create it or find it , you already are that . Respect it . Practice it .”
To learn more about James ’ work and history visit : www . jamesmadisonndn . com .
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Life lessons in wood
Although James enjoys working with many mediums , his favorite will always be wood . “ Wood is my calling ,” says James . “ It ’ s the way I keep my culture alive through spirituality , through customs , through ceremonies , through life .”
His grandfather taught him to listen to the wood and it will unveil what it ’ s meant to be . “ I didn ’ t know what he was talking about when I was younger , but when I began making my own totem poles , I started to understand ,” says James . “ When I ’ m with a cedar tree , I see a ghost in the wood and I remove what doesn ’ t belong , to bring that form out three-dimensionally .”
And much like life , he says , you have a plan and a process in mind for how you ’ ll accomplish your task , but things inevitably get in the way . “ You ’ ll find a knot or other flaws that aren ’ t going to move ,” he says . “ So you need to adjust your lines , direction , and design according to what ’ s happening as you go along . It ’ s all part of letting the wood tell you what it wants to become .”
Bee print
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