Rockwell Reframed Lecture Series | Exploring Native Perspectives Through Creative Practice with Hayden Haynes (Seneca Nation, Deer Clan)

Location: The Rockwell Museum

Open to the public | Members: Free, Not-Yet-Members: $15, Students: $5 | Registration encouraged 

Explore contemporary Native art with Hayden Haynes (Seneca Nation, Deer Clan) as he shares insights into his antler-carving practice grounded in community traditions, cultural knowledge, and storytelling. Haynes will discuss the origins, inspiration, and evolution of his craft, as well as the symbolism embedded in his work, including his Pretendians necklace in the Museum’s collection. He will also address the complexities surrounding the definition of Native art today and the vital role of collaborative interpretation in responsibly presenting Native American objects in museum contexts. These cultural frameworks will guide a broader conversation about revitalization efforts across Hodínöhšö:ni:h country.

About Hayden Haynes

Hayden Haynes is an antler carving artist working deeply in cultural arts revitalization and teaching. A member of the Seneca Nation and Deer Clan, Hayden is a self-taught artist. His current art practice involves working across the mediums of antler, found objects, mixed media, and digital photography. Born in Claremore, OK, Hayden grew up on the Seneca-Cattaraugus Territory in Western New York. It is from here where he draws inspiration related to land, history, and culture for his artwork, which gives his pieces strong personal and emotional components. Whether his art touches on the Native experience, identity, or resiliency, Hayden’s work is always created through a self-perspective framed Native lens sharing his experiences, knowledge, and observations of living among his community.

He has been supported through acquisitions, exhibitions, and grants by various institutions, including Cornell University, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Brooklyn Museum, New-York Historical Society Museum & Library, New York Folklore Society, The Center for Craft, and the New York State Council on the Arts, among others. In addition to his life as an artist he serves his Seneca community as the director of the Seneca Nation Onöhsagwë: de’ Cultural Center (SNOCC), which houses the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Seneca-Iroquois National Museum (SINM), and Archives. Hayden is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the Senecas, enhancing cultural revitalization with lasting impacts for the future, and serving his people. His number one aim is to build community in all that he does. Hayden currently lives and works in Seneca-Allegany Territory.

This program was developed as a companion to the Making History, Making Change Lecture Series, organized by Smithsonian Affiliations

Generous support given in memory of Nat and Wilhelmina Wollin.