The Columbia / wimahl

Aluminum | 12’ x 5’ | 2023

One of a two site-specific sculptures created for a multi demographic housing development in St. Helens, OR that intend to celebrate the region, both geographically and culturally. Placed within their rain garden landscape, this work depicts the Columbia River including two major tributaries as it meanders along the border of Oregon and Washington. It is a commemoration of the region’s greater watershed and the cultural history of the Columbia, or “wimahl” in the area’s indigenous Chinook language. Formed from solid aluminum bar, the material intents to also be a subtle reminder of the complete industrialization of this great river in part to generate power for aluminum smelting.