Cur.rent Car.ri.er
Organized by Elizabeth Peterson
Jan 27 – Mar 10, 2011
Artist Gallery Talk:
Thursday, February 10, 3-4 p.m.
Reception:
Thursday, February 10, 5-7 p.m.
Akus Gallery presents a solo exhibition of the work of Courtney M. Leonard, a multimedia artist, member of the Shinnecock Nation, and recent graduate of Rhode Island School of Design. Leonard challenges the naïve perception much of western society has of Native American artists working in traditional media such as clay. She says, “Tradition is not stagnant, it constantly changes and adapts to society. I am a Shinnecock woman that has a passion for clay and a love for the generations before me and the generations yet to come.” Leonard explores the evolution of language, image, and culture through mixed media pieces of video, audio, and tangible objects. She reinterprets traditional Shinnecock vessels which act as the carriers of historical narrative through the currents of present cultures and on to the next generations.