James Madison

Snohomish/Tlingit

Tulalip Tribes member James Russell Madison was born December 7, 1973, into a family steeped in traditional Salish and Tlingit Northwest-coast Native art. He began carving when he was 8 years old, his first lessons learned from his grandfather Frank Madison (1923-2002). An uncle, Steve Madison, was also an early teacher, and James learned abstract painting and sculpting from his father, Richard Madison (b. 1952).
Following graduation from Everett High School in 1992, James Madison went on to study art at the University of Washington, receiving a bachelor's degree in fine arts in 2000, followed by a bachelor's degree from the Pratt School of Fine Arts in 2004. His studies included courses in Native American Northwest-coast art history; Northwest-coast two-dimensional design and carving; metal sculpture; and glass blowing, fusing, and casting.
While James Madison is a master wood carver, he also works in a variety of contemporary media, including glass, bronze, and stainless steel, and seeks to combine the new with the old. He described his method as trying to "create art with an open mind in the sense that I am always thinking of new ways to add a modern twist to a traditional piece. This allows for me to help to keep my culture alive. As we move into the future, so do the teachings of my ancestors" (Madison website). One of Madison's major works is a 24-foot story pole in the hotel lobby at the Tulalip Resort and Casino. His artwork can also be seen at Tulalip's Hibulb Cultural Center, the Tulalip Health Clinic, Cabela's at the Tulalip Mall, Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Kayak Point Regional Park, Providence Hospital in Everett, and the Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus. Pieces by Madison can be found in downtown Everett; Stanwood; Marysville; Shoreline; Whistler, British Columbia; and New York City.

https://steinbruecknativegallery.com/james-madison/

Press:

Everett adds Coast Salish sculpture outside municipal building, taking 'land acknowledgements' to the next level 2024

Keeping his Culture and Traditions Alive 2023

James Madison, Snohomish County "Artist of the Year" is Feted... 2013

Video

Tulalip Master Carver James Madison Has a Vision 2024

James Madison, Tulalip Artist 2021

Hibulb Cultural Center: Tulalip History Project: Tulalip Artists Series — James Madison; Metal Art 2021

Releasing the Forms Within | Tulalip Artist James Madison 2019

Tulalip tribal artist James Madison 2018

Media:

Meet Tulalip Artist James Madison, KTCS9

Releasing the forms within, Seattle North County

Washington Gets Real, KIRO 7

6 Sites to see James Madison Artwork, Eat Stay Love SnoCo

Different One, A Native Artist and the Future, In Close

Tulalip Tribes, Featuring James Madison, Tulalip Tribes

City of Everett selects Tulalip Tribes artist James Madison for new land acknowledgement public art

Tulalip artist James Madison remains true to his heritage, The Herald

Generations’ of art and culture of the Tulalip Tribes, The Arlington Times

Cultural Affiliation(s)

Artist's Statement

https://jamesmadisonndn.com/index.php/about/

My name is James Madison. I am an Artist from the Tulalip Tribes. I come from Snoqualmie, Snohomish, Skykomish, Duwamish, Skagit, Tlinget blood line. My people come from the Salish Sea all the way up to the Mountains. It is my goal to keep my culture alive and show that my people are not petrified. My sculptures will be educational and provide a historical stories from the area. I believe in the power of telling local stories through my art. Every job I undertake is site specific and connected to the environment, culture, and site. I believe sculptures should have no real ending or begining , it must flow like water.

MY CULTURE

I learned my culture and carving skills at my Grandfathers kitchen table when I was Five. My Dad and Grandfather would carve and tell family cultural stories and sat me down for the duration of the teachings. I was taught in an old traditional way. After high school I went to UW to learn European Art forms. I studied Picaso, Van Gogh, Dali, and wanted to add what they did to my cultural art. I like to make traditional Art pieces with a modern twist. In order to help keep my culture alive I needed to show my peoples art in different mediums so I learned many Mediums such as Bronze casting, Metal Fabrication, Blown Glass, Fused Glass, Stone work, Graphic Design etc…