Steven Nagode

Federal Way, WA

As part of their cycle of life, salmon return from the ocean to their birthplaces in rivers and streams.

Inspired by engineering, cycling culture, and the Salish Sea, Steven Nagode transforms recycled industrial materials into striking sculptural works. His creations breathe new life into discarded metal components while celebrating the natural world and the ecosystems that sustain it. Returning Salmon honours the salmon’s remarkable life cycle and its enduring return from ocean to spawning grounds. Constructed from repurposed metal elements, the sculpture reflects themes of resilience, migration, and renewal. Nagode’s work highlights both the beauty and vulnerability of salmon populations while encouraging viewers to reflect on humanity’s responsibility to protect waterways and the species that depend upon them.