Contemporary Northwest Coast Artist • James P Bender's web site.
Contemporary Northwest Coast Art

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For information on commissions, or purchases, please click here.

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Contemporary Northwest Coast Art by James P Bender

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James P Bender at work detailing a Totem for Victor Steinbrueck Park in Pike Place Public Market.
Welcome to James P Bender's web site.
James P Bender at work on a Totem for Victor Steinbrueck Park in Pike Place Public Market.

Artist's Profile :

With over 30 years experience, James P Bender has created an impressive body of Contemporary Northwest Coastal Artworks which includes:

Mr. Bender is recognized for his significant contributions to Contemporary Northwest Coast Indian Art. James' work summons both, a dignity, and a refinement, which honors this traditional art form through clean, simple, lines and impeccable craftsmanship. To explore the full range and scope of his art, take a look at James' Projects, and Gallery, showcase pages.


Salmon Go Up Rivers; Material: Cast Bronze; Dimensions: 28(w) x 30(h).
Welcome to James P Bender's web site.

Cast Bronze Works :

For several years now, I have been experimenting with using Cast Bronze as a medium for my designs — This has been a rewarding fulfillment of a long-time desire of mine.

As with the Sunroom and its African Mahogany, I have been able to explore, and develop, a number of new techniques with satisfying results. The introduction of Cast Bronze into my work enhances the original designs which are carved in wood and has created some new, and inspired, artwork…

Working with several new models such as The Moon Mask and some older pieces like the Open Top Box, both of which are show to the left. I have begun Casting my art in Bronze which has brought a whole new life to my work.

Learn more about Cast Bronze work by James P Bender.


This photo is a closeup of the face of "Father Folk" while in the process of being carved.Welcome to James P Bender's web site.
This photo is a closeup of the face of "Mother Folk" after the Folk Figures were completed.

Folk Figures :

A man and a woman, husband and wife, brother and sister, these are personages that we can all relate to, and all hold common in our past. They are Pioneers, Our Ancestors, and common to all family histories.

These two figures, standing back to back, represent all the people of our lineage dating back past the furthest of our shadowed memory as individuals, and as civilizations. They exist in history, and in our imaginations.

I call them Folk Figures — Father Folk and Mother Folk…

Learn more about the Folk Figures by James P Bender.


Detail of the Cedar Cabinet door by James P Bender at the Ichthyology Lodge; part of IslandWood – A School in the Woods on Bainbridge Island.Welcome to James P Bender's web site.
Full view of the Cedar Cabinet door by James P Bender at the Ichthyology Lodge; part of IslandWood – A School in the Woods on Bainbridge Island.

Ichthyology Lodge

This project included a large, round, cedar panel carved with the figures that are the main figures in the world of fishes. This cedar panel is mounted on a large cabinet that opens up and reveals a teacher's visual aid in the form of a white board 96" x 96" for illustrating, and teaching, about fishes.

Learn more about the Ichthyology Lodge project.


Signage for IslandWood – A School in the Woods done by James P. Bender.Welcome to James P Bender's web site.
A detail view of Owl wood-burning on fireplace mantle by James P. Bender.

Sunroom, Private Commission :

This commission was inspired to decorate the walls and entryway of a private residence undergoing a major remodel. The species of wood was new to me but I took to it right away as I began my design and carving work.

This project was done using Khaya, a type of African Mahogany. The sunroom was already trimmed out in this mahogany, so my carving fit right in as if from a single piece of wood. The figures tell a story of "The Tree of Life"; How all living creatures, even ourselves, are born dependant on the bounty of the earth to sustain us all during our time here.

Learn more about the Sunroom Carvings.


Raising the Totem into place.

Pike Place Public Market Totem

I was commissioned in 1983 by Architect Emeritus Victor Steinbrueck to complete the two 50 foot totem poles that he designed for the Belvedere Park at Pike Place Public Market. The figures on these two totem poles represent how important the Farmers Market is to the people of Seattle. The park that surrounds the totems represents a very necessary space that Victor Steinbrueck felt is essential to people that live in the city.

Learn more about the Pike Place Public Market Totems.


Welcome to James P Bender's web site.

Commission & Purchasing:

For information on commissions or purchases including James P. Bender's new limited edition Cast Bronze works, please click here.

Or to view a sampling of previous works, take a look at James' Galleries. Or take a look at some of ' The Projects done over the years by Mr. Bender.

Welcome to James P Bender's web site.
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