From Hayden:

I carved the necklace (Image 1) from a piece of worked antler (presumably a decorative antler comb “blank”), that a Seneca ancestor started over 300 years ago.

The comb blank (Image 6) was recovered from Ganondagan, an old Seneca town that was destroyed by the French in 1687, now known as the Ganondagan State Historic Site @ganondagan, and held in the Rock Foundation Collection.. I didn’t carve or alter the outside edges of the comb-blank because I wanted to show the ancestor’s work, their cut marks, and the original untouched ridged surface of the antler. I simply carved the teeth and design in the middle. I was able to finish it into a necklace with glass trade beads that curator Jamie Jacobs provided me–which were also from the Rock Foundation Collection and recovered from Ganondagan.

The forms–the decorative antler combs, the antler ladles–are forms that our ancestors made. For example, the figures facing each other, touching each others hands in this piece (Image 2) is based on an old decorative antler comb where there are 2 crouching figures facing each other, touching hands. My work is always about honoring the ancestors who left us the model for carved antler forms and motifs. I brought every intent that I could to honor the designs of our ancestors and the inspiration they give me.

This was probably the most challenging piece I have ever made because of the material and how degraded it became over time. Like all the things I make, I only worked on it when it felt right (Image 4). I didn’t feel it was appropriate to title this piece since I don’t know the ancestor that had started it. I don’t know the original vision they had. I had to walk a fine line of respect for someone who isn’t even living anymore–that has a spirit somewhere. I did my best to honor that person.

Once completed, I brought the comb back to Ganondagan in order to share the necklace and have a living Seneca model wear it, then I photographed her (Image 3). To bring that antler back to where it came from and be able to share it–thinking of all the histories of the land–I don’t even know if there are words for that experience.

It’s amazing to hold and touch something that an ancestor started over 300 years ago. To bring it out of storage and back to life, and to have other people see it in this exhibition is powerful.

Hayden Haynes

Model: Ganöndi:ye’s “Charli Rae” Hill (Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan)

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The exhibition opens December 6, 2024, you can learn more at the link below: