Oliver, Marvin Maquette

$90,000.00

Marvin Oliver (Quinault / Isleta Pueblo, 1946–2019) — cast and fused glass orca in dichroic color, set into black formline.

Oliver was one of the Northwest Coast’s most significant contemporary sculptors, of Quinault and Isleta Pueblo heritage, and among the first Coast Salish artists to work seriously in glass. He taught in American Indian Studies at the University of Washington for 45 years and left public commissions across Washington, Canada, Japan, and Italy.

This piece is built the same way as his monumental work: waterjet-cut, fused, and cast glass in dichroic color, set into black formline. The best-known example is Mystical Journey at Seattle Children’s Hospital — a mother and calf spanning 26 feet, 12,000 pounds, suspended between floors so they appear to swim through open air. It’s still one of the largest glass sculptures in the Pacific Northwest.

At this scale, you can see the thing his public work makes you take on faith: how the dichroic layers shift as you move around it, and how precisely the formline is cut.

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How to Measure for Sculpture

Before purchasing a sculpture, measure the height, width, and depth of the area where it will be placed. Be sure to consider nearby furniture, walkways, doorways, and architectural features so the piece feels well-proportioned in the space.

If the sculpture will sit on a pedestal, table, console, or shelf, measure that surface as well to ensure there is enough room for the work to sit securely and comfortably. It is also important to review the sculpture’s full dimensions and weight, especially for larger or heavier pieces.

A simple way to visualize placement is to mark out the sculpture’s footprint on the floor or surface with painter’s tape, or use paper cut to size. This can help you better understand how much space the piece will occupy from every angle.

If you are local to Santa Fe or Scottsdale, we are happy to assist with delivery and place the sculpture in your home so you can see how it looks in the space.