Bethany Sonsini Goodrich

Photographer

Twenty Thousand Salmon Bones

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Location: Sitka, Alaska

Nationality: United States of America

Biography: I am a Southeast Alaskan writer and photographer who is deeply passionate about the power of story for inspiring positive social and environmental change. My photography and writing have been published with local and international magazines and... MORE

Twenty Thousand Salmon Bones

Delicately yet firmly pinching the tiny vertebrae of a Chinook salmon between her thumb and pointer finger, Cynthia Gibson pushed fearlessly toward a rusty grinder churning an aggressive 3,400 rpm. The spur where a rib was once connected flew off into a cluttered garage leaving a smooth bead behind.

With patience and confidence, Gibson slowly built a dress from twenty thousand salmon bones.
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Published in Salmon Life and the Juneau Empire.
Read the full story on Salmon Life.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the natural world,” said Gibson. On her belly as a child, she would examine the delicate joints on blades of grass — dismantling them, weaving them, inspecting them. In nature, she discovered her passion for art and sought inspiration there.

“There’s so much outside that is used in regular art today, and we don’t always recognize that.”

“Salmon connect us all. They are in our waters, on the beach, in our forests, in our freezers.

Salmon are a part of who we are,” says Gibson.
Intrigued and inspired, Gibson decided to combine her passion for natural elements with her interest in wearable arts and fashion. She began collecting, dreaming and eventually, imagining a dress adorned with Alaska’s wild beads.
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“We don’t give creativity credit in our society as much as we should. Being creative helps you find new solutions to old problems that can be used in everything: budgeting, city planning, any aspect of life, healthcare, anything,” Gibson said.

Salmon enter our lives in form...mp;nbsp;

Salmon enter our lives in formidable and sometimes surprising ways. Alaskans’ devotion to these loyal fish feels familial, unwavering and strong. Just like salmon.

Some face proudly into churning seas in pursuit of a commercial haul. Others force themselves awake at an ungodly hour, shuffling in their slippers to check on fragrant smokehouses. Gibson crafted an original dress from twenty thousand salmon bones.

Some people call this devotion crazy. Alaskans call it love.

Gratitude

Thank you to artist Cynthia Gibson, the stunning Mia Nevarez, and The Salmon Project.

Salmon Life is a storytelling movement crafted and shared by The Salmon Project to celebrate the Alaska Salmon Life.

For Alaskans, salmon are more than just a fish: they inspire our way of life. Salmon shape our livelihoods, connect us to our land and our traditions, and inspire creativity and adventure.

Read the full story online.