“Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds: The Power of Indigenous Language in Contemporary Art” is an upcoming exhibition at the Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery, located in the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University. This group exhibition will be on display from July 17 through November 22 and features 24 artists, including Jeffrey Gibson, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Kay WalkingStick.
The exhibition explores how art serves as a medium for cultural continuity, storytelling, and reclaiming Indigenous languages. Jeremy Dennis, guest curator from the Shinnecock Indian Nation, stated that “Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds explores the profound connections between Indigenous language and contemporary art,” with a focus on Algonquian languages spoken across Long Island and the Northeast.
Dennis further explained that “Drawing from heritage, memory, and community, these artists use creative expression to revitalize and reclaim language as a tool for cultural continuity, storytelling, and healing.” He noted that while the exhibition highlights the resilience of Indigenous language, it also acknowledges historical challenges such as colonial efforts to control language and trauma inflicted by boarding schools.
The exhibition includes archival materials from Stony Brook University’s Special Collections. These materials provide historical context about Indigenous peoples and languages on Long Island. Highlights include a Native Long Island map by the Suffolk County Archaeological Association featuring over 400 Algonquian words.
A 42-page catalog accompanies the exhibition with artist images and statements from all participating artists. It also includes information about the Algonquian Language Revitalization Project and Native American studies at Stony Brook University.
For more details about this exhibition or related events, visit the Zuccaire Gallery website.