Family Ties

Curated by Jeremy Dennis

On View: August 14 – October 9, 2023 see our calendar for visit hours.

Opening Reception: Sunday, August 27, from 4 – 6 pm.

Public Program: Kinship Thru Lindy Hop with in·corpus on September 30th from 4 – 6 pm.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Pamella Allen, Mashael Alsaie, Lisa Brown, Adina Farinango, Keshia Talking Waters De Freece, Jamie John, Julia Justo, Lasalle, Demarcus McGaughey, Erica Morales, Beau Bree Rhee, Farëna Saburi, Olajuwon Scott, Christine Stoddard, Rebekah Phoenix Wise.

Enjoy this virtual tour slide show of the exhibition, photographed by Etienne Frossard.

  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House
  • Family Ties at the Old Stone House

Overview:

Family Ties is an exploration of the intimate and intricate ways that family shapes our lives. As one of the most fundamental aspects of human existence, family is where our first lessons of love, loyalty, and the power of connection take root. The relationships cultivated within these units influence our identities, beliefs, and values and chart the course of our life’s journey. This exhibition provides an opportunity to celebrate these connections and delve into the complexities of familial relationships.

The exhibit features the work of 15 BIPOC artists engaging with their family experiences—celebrating love and joy or exploring the struggles and challenges that invariably arise.  By portraying historical events and shared memories through the prism of family themes, artists narrate both individual and communal stories, creating a poignant commentary on systemic issues like racial inequality and discrimination. Simultaneously, these depictions challenge stereotypes, broaden representation, and encapsulate a sense of shared humanity.

This showcase also pays homage to Loretta A. Silva, fondly remembered as ‘Princess Silva Arrow’ and ‘Ma.’ A proud member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and a lifelong resident of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, her memory and legacy have been instrumental in establishing the Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio project. Her impact is further felt in the life of her grandson and artist/curator, Jeremy Dennis, who now occupies the family home shaped by Silva’s vibrant spirit.

This group exhibition extended a special invitation to alumni artists from the Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio, Inc. residency program. These artists have previously immersed themselves in the creative environment fostered by Silva’s legacy on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, NY. This exhibit also features works from artists of color who have not participated in the residency, amplifying the representation and reach of the BIPOC community.

“Family Ties” is an exploration and celebration of the myriad forms that family can take, from biological families to chosen families and extended families. 

PUBLIC PROGRAM 

Please join us Saturday 9/30 from 4-6PM for a special public program to activate the Family Ties exhibit: “Kinship thru Lindy Hop,” with in·corpus!

An hour of Lindy Hop instruction, followed by an hour of Swing music for dancing! No experience or partner necessary. Ages 10 and up.

Founded in 2022, in·corpus is an NYC-based initiative dedicated to supporting embodiment and community connection through movement, and to perpetuating indigenous and cultural artistry through amplification and resource-sharing.

Lindy Hop was born at the Savoy Ballroom (Harlem, NY) during the early 20th century. Centering this form invites New Yorkers, to embody a New York dance, in New York, with other New Yorkers; supporting the goal of community connection (i.e. kinship) through the lenses of self, partner, and place.

ABOUT THE CURATOR 

Jeremy Dennis, a renowned contemporary fine art photographer, is deeply ingrained in his Shinnecock Indian heritage in Southampton, NY. As the pioneering artist and creator of the not-for-profit initiative, Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio, Inc., Dennis has strategically positioned the studio within the heart of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation.

This vibrant and shared artistic space stands as a platform for BIPOC artists, shining a spotlight on their talents and fostering a much-needed diversity in the realm of art. In a unique twist, Dennis has transformed his family home into a dynamic venue for exhibitions, workshops, and artists’ residencies, encapsulating the spirit of creativity and community.

This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.