Edited by Randi Bjornstad
Eugene sculptor Jud Turner may be best-known for his large-scale public artwork, including a giant blue heron near the University of Oregon campus and a life-size mammoth skeleton on permanent display at the Moses Lake Museum in Washington State. But he has just completed his latest work, P’Squosa, which memorializes Chief John Harmelt astride his horse, Quilmiakin, and the public will have one more chance to see it — on Saturday, Sept. 6 — before it is transported to Wenatchee, Wash., where it will be installed permanently in Memorial Park.
Turner collaborated closely with members of the P’Squosa Tribal Council to design the piece, which includes many symbolic animals — owl, sparrow, hawk, coyote, bear, and salmon — that are important in tribal stories.
Chief Harmelt (1847-1927) played a vital role in the lives and culture of the P’Squosa tribe during the turbulent times when Native American culture was most threatened by the westward expansion of the United States.
“This project represents the culmination of everything I’ve explored as a sculptor — material transformation, narrative depth, and the emotional power of scale,” Turner said in introducing the huge piece. “By working in dialogue with the P’Squosa and the city of Wenatchee, I’ve been able to create a piece that not only reflects their stories but also resonates as a contemporary artwork rooted in place.”
Public viewing of Jud Turner’s P’Squosa
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025
Where: The Oblivion Gallery, 3923 Cross St., Eugene (See locator map below)
