The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery is pleased to present a gallery talk by Akwesasne Mohawk quilt artist Iakonikonriiosta on Saturday, December 4, at 1:00 p.m. in the gallery. She will discuss her recent quilt, Tsi Kiontahsawen / In the Beginning, depicting the Haudenosaunee Creation Story, as well as the innovative sewing techniques employed in the quilt’s construction. The Brush Art Gallery purchased the quilt in 2020 in conjunction with the exhibition Water & Origin: Protecting and Honoring the First Storyteller with the artist couple Tzintzun Aguilar Izzo, SLU ’15, and Blake Lavia. She will also discuss a second quilt, Tewasennahawi/ We Carry our Names, about Mohawk identity.
Iakonikonriiosta is a mother and grandmother of a large family. She currently is the manager of the Native North American Travelling College and quilts as an expression of love and life. She uses her quilts to share her insights, often speaking to gatherings of people interested in art, quilts, or indigenous culture. She grew up in Syracuse, New York, and moved to Akwesasne as a young woman to support the Mohawk Nation in the ongoing struggle to maintain a strong presence in the north country.
Iakonikonriiosta was one of the founding teachers of the Akwesasne Freedom School and continues to support the school as a grandmother. She lives with her husband in Akwesasne. He supports her artwork by adding depth to the designs she brings to life. They both love watching their family grow.
The event is free and open to the public. Face masks are required.
