Welcome Figure

Welcome Figure. ‘spuy’elepebŠ. , Shaun Peterson “Qwalsius” , Western Red Cedar, exterior latex paint , Textured by a traditional adze method , 24’ × 6’ × 4’ , 2010, “The welcome figure symbolizes many things: honor to the past present, and future as we are the ancestors of a future generation and must carry ourselves forward with that in mind” - Qwalsius (Shaun Peterson), ’spuy’elepebŠ , ‘spuy’elepebŠ is the indigenous name of the Puyallup tribal people and also the village that once inhabited this site. Although little is known today about the village itself, the fact that it shares the name of the people suggests it was a prominent gathering place., The style of Welcome Figure is traditional to this region and the local Native groups of Western Washington State, specifically the Puget Sound area. It is distinct from the totem pole, which is often identified with the Pacific Northwest even though it originates from the First Nations Groups of Canada and South Eastern Alaskan tribes. During the turn of the 20th century, Tacoma-Seattle served as a midpoint for travelers heading to Alaska during gold rush times, and countless local traditions were conflated or overlooked, including that of welcoming figures like this one., At the time of this figure's creation, many local Puget Sound tribes are revitalizing the important practices that distinguish this region of the world, generously sharing their culture through art, song, and dance. The intention of this contemporary welcoming figure is the same as that of its predecessors: with its arms outstretched, it gracefully receives visitors to the site while powerfully honoring the traditions of the area's first peoples., Welcome Figure marks a unique collaboration between the City of Tacoma The Puyallup Tribe, and the Tacoma Art Museum and is included in the City of Tacoma's Municipal Art Collection