Akwesasronon Art On Display

The Station in Onchiota welcomed a fresh showcase of creations from Indigenous artists last week.

This collective display, named "PERCEPTIONS OF LAND: ownership, freedom and sovereignty," was a collaborative curatorial effort between Randi Renate and Melissa Lambert.

The exhibition showcases a range of contemporary viewpoints from First Nations artists, featuring pieces by Kit Thomas, Bruce Boots, Teiekariios Jock, Martin Akwiranoron Loft, David Kanietakeron Fadden, and Donnie Tehonatake Fadden.

Thomas is a two-spirit indigiqueer artist, hailing from the Akwesasne Mohawk tribe. Her paintings, deeply influenced by street art, add a vibrant touch to the exhibition. Boots, another Akwesasne Mohawk artist, focuses his artistry on the narratives and myths of the Haudenosaunee people. One of his prominent paintings in the showcase depicts the myth of Sky Woman descending to Earth on bird's wings.

Jock, who identifies as a two-spirit indigiqueer, is a Mohawk Akwesasne artist based in Saranac Lake. The exhibition includes their "Bead Skis," a tribute to over 10,000 children who never returned from residential schools. These skis are not only sculptural art pieces but functional items too, created by transferring Jock's beadwork onto vinyl, which was subsequently printed on the skis.

Loft, a Mohawk artist specializing in printmaking and crafts, has been actively mentoring emerging Indigenous artists since 2020 at the Conseil des Arts de Montreal. David and Donnie Fadden, both artists, maintain a deep connection with the Six Nations Indian Museum, an establishment that was initiated by their grandfather, Ray Fadden.

The Station may be found in Onchiota at 1 Kushaqua Mud Pond Road.

The facility is open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special events, such as workshops, live music, and other activities, are held on weekends only through July 24.