Press

The New York State Museum today announced the addition of 14 new artworks to its contemporary Native American art collection. Building on an initiative launched in 1986 and now numbering more than 160 artworks, the contemporary Native American art collection is an impressive assemblage of work showcasing the breadth of Native artistic skills and craftsmanship.

In accordance with the mission of the collection, each artist is a citizen of an Indigenous nation whose ancestral lands are located in what is now New York State. The artists and their work include:

• 1687 War, acrylic on paper, by Peter Jemison (Seneca)
• Quilled leather pouch and knife sheath, 17th century replica, by Jamie Jacobs (Tonawanda Seneca)
• Dan Nanamkin at Standing Rock, from the series We Are Still Here, photograph print by Camille Seaman (Shinnecock)
• Christian Branden Weaver at Shinnecock Pow wow (Portrait), from the series We Are Still Here, photograph print by Camille Seaman (Shinnecock)
• Three Sisters, acrylic on canvas, by Erwin Printup Jr. (Cayuga)
• Never Alone, beadwork on watercolor, by Dawn Dark Mountain (Oneida Nation, WI) and Karen Ann Hoffman (Oneida Nation, WI)
• Three Sisters, carved stone sculpture, by Scott Hill (Oneida Nation, WI)
• Hawk, antler carving, by Hayden Haynes (Seneca)
• Tadodaho, wampum belt replica, by Tony Gonyea (Onondaga)
• Journey: The Red and Black Experience in the New World, quilt, by Faye Lone (Tonawanda Seneca)
• Beaded pin cushion and bird, by Grant Jonathan (Tuscarora)
• Beaded regalia (cuffs, hat, belt), by Reva Fuhrman (Stockbridge Munsee Mohican)

“These artworks not only speak to Native American and New York history but also represent Native American culture today,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “We’re grateful to the artists for sharing their heritage with the people of New York. Now generations of New Yorkers to come will learn from and appreciate these artworks.”

“Adding new artworks to the State Museum’s contemporary Native American art collection is much more important than simply growing this collection,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “The collection is a commitment to support emerging and established Native American artists and to share Native American culture with New Yorkers of all ages.”

The Contemporary Native American Art Collection is part of the State Museum’s Ethnology collection. The new artworks will significantly contribute to future exhibitions, educational programming and research publications. Included in the collection are examples of beadwork, sculpture, quillwork, regalia, carvings, paintings and textile art. The collection reflects the broad range of artwork from Native artists using multiple mediums and techniques and addresses historic and contemporary subject matter relevant to all New Yorkers.

Photos of some of the newly acquired artworks are available on the State Museum’s website.

The State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website.