ABOUT THE ARTIST

Madison is a 25-year old artist occupying the lush evergreen rainforests surrounding the Salish Sea of Washington State.

 

Səʔ notsʔ tí. Hello, Welcome.

I am Shoalwater Bay, descended from the Lower bands of the "Federally Unrecognized" Chinook Nation, the lower Chehalis tribes, and the Nisqually Indian Nation.

My main inspiration comes from the beauty of my family—full of skillful artists of all kinds.

My Great Chitcha Lorraine from my mother's side was a skillful beadwork artist and seamstress who left behind beautiful pieces of beadwork to family members. Chitcha Lorraine would create handmade outfits for dolls, beaded jewelry and accessories galore and she would gift them to family members around Tokeland, Washington.

My Chitcha Judith from my father's side was an amazing cook, artist, gardener and pianist—she passed along this knowledge to all of her grandchildren every Summer. When I was 8 years old, I recall her giving me a lilac-colored Pacific Bleeding Heart to take home. Chitcha had said to me, “Now you can start a garden of your own.” A few months later, I was pulled out of elementary school and informed that she suddenly passed away. I grieved her absence for years, I felt as if I never got to say a proper goodbye. 

Beading Hearts is a symbol of hope, unconditional love and reconciliation. The flower honors the strong, very loved women before me.

My passion to reconnect to my culture through art came from a place of isolation where I truly realized how important community, laughter, and healing is. Art is a powerful force, is it something that anyone can access and practice for themselves. Art is the result of healing that restores and maintains culture, community and hope.

Hiyu Masi. I cannot thank you enough for your support.