Marvin Oliver (artist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marvin Oliver
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| Born | 1946 Shelton, Washington, U.S.
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| Died | July 17, 2019 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
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| Occupation | Artist, professor |
| Known for | Sculpture, printmaking |
Marvin Oliver (born 1946, died 2019) was an amazing Indigenous American artist. He was also a professor. He mostly created modern sculptures and printmaking art. Oliver used his family's Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo background to inspire his art. He also learned from Coast Salish art styles.
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Marvin Oliver's Life Story
Marvin Oliver was born in Shelton, Washington in 1946. When he was eight years old, his family moved. They went to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Education and Teaching
Later, Oliver went to the University of Washington. He finished his studies there in 1973. He learned about art history and how to create art. His teachers included famous artists like Bill Holm and Jacob Lawrence. The very next year, in 1974, he became a professor at the University of Washington. One of his students was Jewell James.
Art and Inspiration
In 1975, Oliver offered to help the Seattle Seahawks football team. He wanted to redesign their logo. His idea was to make it look more like local formline art styles. This art style is very important to Indigenous cultures in the Pacific Northwest.
Oliver made many beautiful art pieces. He often used glass to create them. Some of his glass works looked like "Northwest Coast-style baskets." Others were "spirit boards, kachinas, and fins." He also carved and painted wood. He made totem poles, cylinders, and door panels. He even created huge bronze fins. His printmaking art, called serigraphs, showed whales and birds. These pieces were always bright and full of joy.
Oliver was very generous with his art. He gave some of his artwork to University of Washington graduates. This was for their special Raven's Feast community dinner. He also created an honor group for students. These students had occupied Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1970.
Where to See His Art
You can find some of Marvin Oliver's art in Perugia, Italy. His sculpture called "The Orca" is in Sisters Orca Park there. On the University of Washington campus, you can see "Soul Catcher" and "Raven's Journey." Another large piece, "Mystical Journey," weighs 12,000 pounds. It is located at the Seattle Children's Hospital. Oliver also had his own art studio in Seattle. He had an art gallery in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Awards and Legacy
In May 2019, Oliver received the Odegaard Award. This award is given to people who show great leadership. Their work in the community helps promote diversity. It honors the work of a former University of Washington president.
Marvin Oliver passed away on July 17, 2019. He died from pancreatic cancer in Seattle, Washington.
Art Collections
Marvin Oliver's art is kept in important art collections. These are called permanent collections. You can find his work at these places:
See also
