Steve Jensen's Voyager

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Death may be a sensitive subject for many people, but Steve Jensen, a sculptor based in Seattle, hopes his personal portrayal of grief will provide relief for others experiencing their own losses. This June, the Gallery at the Park presents Jensen’s art exhibition “Voyager.”

“Voyager” features carvings and sculptures of boats made from a variety of mediums, including wood, glass and found objects. The image of a boat represents a voyage to the other side or a journey to the unknown. Mythologies surrounding the river as a passage between life and death can be found across many cultures, including in Jensen’s own Norse ancestry.

Jensen’s work speaks to a life filled with love and loss. His best friend Sylvan, who had been diagnosed with AIDS, gave Jensen a drawing of a boat and asked for a carved version for his ashes. When Sylvan passed, Jensen carved a boat as close to Sylvan’s drawing as possible.

At his mother’s request, Jensen created a similar vessel for his father, a Norwegian fisherman and boat builder. Jensen and his mother buried the boat at sea, reminiscent of a Viking funeral, and when Jensen’s mother passed two years later, Jensen created a boat for her as well, so she could be buried at sea with his father.

Before Jensen’s partner of 24 years, John, passed, he also asked Jensen to make a boat for his ashes, as his wish was to be buried at sea with Jensen’s parents.

“In the course of eight years,” Jensen states, “I had tragically lost and made funereal boats for everyone close to me.” 

Jensen’s “Voyager” series is an exploration of personal grief, as well as an attempt to take something painful and turn it into something beautiful. The boat sculptures featured in this exhibit are approximately the same size as the actual boats used for burial.

Jensen, a graduate from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, has been working as a professional artist for over 30 years, with work featured in museums throughout Washington, nationwide and beyond. In 2008, self-funded private astronaut Richard Garriott spent 12 days in space aboard the International Space Station; among the things he took on the flight was a 12-piece art exhibition that included two of Jensen’s works.

“Voyager” will be on display at the Gallery at the Park from June 8 to July 3. Steve Jensen will be at the Gallery open house on June 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Gallery Administrator