HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-Quimper CohoTitle: Quimper Coho
Artist: Max Grover
Date: April 2002
Location: Removed due to damage from outdoor exposure
Media: Fiberglass Form
Dimensions: 7' long x 2' tall x 12" wide
The Quimper Coho presents the view of the Quimper Peninsula by Max Grover as a
separation and combination of Port Townsend and the rural area surrounding it. One
side of the enlarged creature depicts the urban waterfront, with distorted images of the
Victorian buildings and historic wharfs, while the other projects the natural landscape of
evergreen trees, baby salmon and water. A school of salmon swims along the belly of
the fish, connecting the sculpture's disparate sides. The inclusion of salmon as the focal
point emphasizes the importance of this fish in the Quimper Peninsula community.
Originally commissioned by the Port Townsend Main Street Program, Grover created
the depicted images after riding the ferry that travels from Port Townsend to Whidbey
Island. He paid special attention to how Port Townsend would be seen from the water.
Through crafting this sculpture, Grover's appreciation for salmon grew in response to his
close inspection of its magnificent shape. This eventually led to the realization of salmon
as an incredibly well engineered species. Grover hopes to evoke in others the same
emotions and respect for salmon that he now feels. Similar to Southwest Native
American storytelling, the Quimper Coho represents the passing on of stories and
knowledge.
As one of approximately a hundred salmon sculptures created, the Quimper Coho was
part of a large effort, under the directorship of Sara Mall Johani, called Soul Salmon.
Soul Salmon's inspiration came from "Cows on Parade" in Chicago and the hundreds of
pig sculptures that consumed Seattle for months. In a two and a half year project, Soul
Salmon increased awareness of vanishing salmon habitat and populations through
public exhibition of salmon sculptures. The project's culmination occurred at the
Odyssey Maritime Discovery Museum in Seattle where eleven salmon were auctioned
off. Mayor Kees Kolff secured the Quimper Coho, bidding $6,000, with the original intent
that it would be installed in the newly constructed City Hall Annex. Before being placed
at the Public Library, the sculpture temporarily sat on the Haller Fountain steps.