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Artist Statement
Art for the Sammamish Park-and-Ride lot developed from my research into the area's history. I chose a Native American basketry theme to create awareness of the impact that change has had on indigenous plants and the Native American basketry arts.
The park-and-ride site includes plants the indigenous people once gathered during berrying trips enroute to Snoqualmie Pass for the construction of baskets and other products for trading.
The geometric brick paving patterns of the waiting areas and walkways are inspired by Salish woven basket patterns. The color palette of the pavement and shelter are reflective of natural dyes prepared by steeping twigs, barks, mosses, and berries.
Glass panels in the bus shelter depict fronds and cones of Western Red Cedar used primarily by the Salish. Twined and coiled weaving techniques are depicted on the bronze panels of the shelter. Twined baskets were used for storage and gathering while coiled baskets were used for cooking and berry gathering.
The primary landmark of the site is a wind vane with graphics I designed to represent the skillful handwork required of the basket weaving craft. Suspended below the wind vane is a hand-carved rattler replicating shredding tools used for processing bark into pliable strands.
Conservation of resources was important to the indigenous people. Proper hunting and select harvesting practices were carried out in order to survive. As we develop and urbanize the area, native plant populations will continue to diminish unless conservation practices persist.
