Artist's Profile :

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

• Public, and Private, Commissions, such as:
  • the Totem Poles at Pike Place Public Market in Seattle -
  • The Seven Cedars Casino Totems in Sequim -
  • The Koe Totem in Oregon.
• A number of Architectural Installations such as:
  • Entryways, Stairway Railings, and Sandblast Designs on glass windows -
  • The Fireplace Mantels and Signage at the Islandwood – A School in the Woods on Bainbridge Island.
• Jewelry in gold and silver, as well as number of Transformation Masks.
• Most recently Mr. Bender has been experimenting with Cast Bronze using Traditional Designs from his Bentwood Boxes and Bowls, to more Experimental Art like the Cast Bronze Spirit Series.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pike Place Public Market Totem

Learn more about the Pike Place Public Market Totems.