“Ancient Life Symbols” Commenting on Culture and Community

After observing Eric Nelsen’s “Ancient Life Symbols,” many questions surfaced within us. Specifically, questions about culture. “What is culture?”, we asked ourselves. Well, it depends on an individual’s perception and life experience. The three of us started discussing individual ancient cultures and realized:  A) we did not know much about ancient culture, and B) we can never truly grasp the culture because we have no way on analyzing it first hand. We could research and find all the facts about any culture we wanted, but we could never feel the emotional attachment that the individuals involved in the culture felt to it. We needed to put this into a perspective we could relate to. Our goal was to understand what culture meant to the individuals immersed in it.

“The individuals within a culture are what make the culture itself”

So, we started observing our own culture; the culture of Western Washington University, soon realizing our relatively small population we consider ‘our culture’ was actually very diverse. This diversity within our culture creates a sense of open-mindedness. Every individual here, whether they are LGBTQP, whether they’re into body modification or environmental science, or into the arts, or outdoor recreation, they are all accepted here. They all call this place home. The individuals within a culture are what make the culture itself. The members that bring diversity and uniqueness into one community, is really what culture is all about. Coming together, spreading our knowledge and perspective, brings unity to a community.  All of this brought to surface that, culture is really the essence of the importance of each individual within it. Culture gives every individual a purpose for being here. Culture lets us be apart of something bigger than ourselves.

Eric Nelsen’s “Ancient Life Symbols” brings this notion to reality. Each tile is seen as a puzzle piece to a greater picture. The sculpture would not be the same if any one tile was missing. All unique in their own way, the tiles create a cohesive piece that showcases individuality and unity within a community.

Photo by Cierra Coppock

Eric Nelsen

Eric Nelsen, born in 1954, is a Vashon, Washington based artist specializing in abstract pottery. His father is a well-known architect and President of the Seattle Design Commission named Ibsen Nelsen. He is best known for The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, the red-brick Inn at the Market in Pike’s Place, the Merrill Court Townhouses on Capitol Hill, and various buildings on the campus of Western Washington University. Living with such a well established, creative guardian most likely had an influence on Eric Nelsen’s upbringing, driving him to pursue art. His career blossomed in 1975 after he made connections in Pottery Northwest. Pottery Northwest was originally a non-profit organization founded in 1966, and since then, has morphed into an oasis of inspiration, sparking dialogue between creators and spreading artistic vision through its community. It is here that Nelson first met a professional potter. Soon after, he moved to Bizen, Japan to begin an apprenticeship with the help of American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Here, Nelsen became inspired by Asia and its ancient civilizations. When Nelson returned to the United States in 1976, he continued to work with wood firing pottery and built the America’s first anagama kiln. An anagama kiln ( Japanese for ‘cave kiln’) is a traditional form of wood firing brought to Japan and China from Korea in the 5th century. In 1978, Nelsen established his first studio in Seattle, but quickly moved back to Japan to continue his education on traditional Japanese Pottery. To this day, Nelsen has held 16 solo exhibitions and many installations such as “Ancient Life Symbols” on the campus of Western Washington University

Work Cited

Beasley, W. G. (1975). Modern Japan: aspects of history, literature, and society. Berkeley:

University of California Press.

Chase Lilleholm. “About Us.” Pottery Northwest, Pottery Northwest.

“Eric Nelsen Art at the Traver Gallery.” Traver Gallery, Vetri.

“Eric Nelsen.” Ceramics Today.

“Eric Nelsen.” Eric Nelsen – Artist Biography for Eric Nelsen, AskART.

Gregory Roberts. “Architect Ibsen Nelsen, who loved Seattle, dies.” Seattlepi, 5 Aug. 2001.

Janet Grimley. “Eric Nelsen.” Pottery Northwest, Pottery Northwest.