Welcoming Gate

Cedar, basalt, cast glass | 15’ x 15’ x 5’ | 2007

Created in collaboration with Lillian Pitt, this work defines a gateway entrance onto the Confluence Project’s Land Bridge connecting the Columbia River to Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, WA. The Welcoming Gate intends to commemorate the indigenous peoples along the Columbia River Gorge. In particular the large cedar paddles are carved in the traditional design of the Chinook tribe that once resided there. Likewise the cast glass mask sculpted by Lillian exemplifies the flattened forehead unique to the Chinook women. It was a great honor to create this work in collaboration with and on behalf of our first nation people.