View XML QR Code

Dudley Carter totem pole carving for Sand Point Naval Air Station photograph collection, August 1960

Overview of the Collection

Title
Dudley Carter totem pole carving for Sand Point Naval Air Station photograph collection
Dates
August 1960 (inclusive)
Quantity
16 photographs (1 folder) ; 8 x 10
Collection Number
PH0795
Summary
Photographs of a tree being felled, milled, and transported to be carved by Carter for the Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Dudley Carter was a wood sculptor who made massive sculptures using a double bladed woodsman's axe. He was born to a pioneer family in New Westminster, British Columbia in 1891. Carter's family operated logging camps in the Pacific Northwest, and at age 15 he moved to Alert Bay where he lived among the totem carving Kwakiutl Indians. He spent many years working in the lumbering business as a timber cruiser and forest engineer before he began experimenting with art and sculpture at age 39. Carter continued working as both a woodsman and sculptor for the next forty years. He remained an active sculptor past the age of 100 before his death in 1992. Some of his influential works include "The Ram" and "The Goddess of the Forest."

Return to Top

Historical Background

On August 11, 1960, Dudley Carter began the public carving of a 52-foot red cedar tree into a totem pole. The carving was done using a double-bitted faller's axe, and took place at the Westlake Mall in Seattle through September 2, 1960. Once completed, the pole was placed at the main gate of the Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. The carving was arranged by the Thunderbirds, a group of 450 enlisted Naval Air Reservists from the Sand Point Naval Air Station.

Return to Top

Content Description

Photographs of a tree being felled by sculptor Dudley Carter, milled, and transported to be carved into a totem pole by Carter for the Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. The collection includes a photograph of the totem pole surrounding by scaffolding.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format.

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Source: Fairlook Antiques, October 2008.

Processing Note

Processed by Holly Hernandez, 2008.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Sculptors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Totem poles--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Wood-carving--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Carter, Dudley--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Westlake Mall (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Loading...
Loading...