Sue Ellen Herne: Finding Her Mohawk Voice Through Art and Language
By Todd Moe. NCPR.
Mohawk artist Sue Ellen Herne is a life-long student, with a wide-ranging palette of talent - quilting, painting, basketry, sewing, and bead work. An exhibit of her latest work is on display this month at the Akwesasne Cultural Center and Museum.
Sue Ellen Herne is the former program coordinator at the Akwesasne Cultural Center. Recently, she's gone back to being a fulltime student - studying to become more fluent in the Mohawk language.
Her artwork throughout her life has often been autobiographical, allowing her to explore her family, and the history and culture of the Mohawk people. During the pandemic, she took classes on Native American art via Zoom, and learned techniques for working with animal hides and acrylic paints.
Creation stories, nature, the environment, the brutal treatment of indigenous children at boarding schools, and learning to fit into another culture all are themes in her latest exhibit. Sue Ellen shared stories about the pieces with NCPR's Todd Moe. The show is on display at the Akwesasne Cultural Center through the end of the month.
Reprinted with permission.
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