On This Site – Native Long Island With Indigenous Artist Jeremy Dennis

On Sunday, December 17, at 3 p.m., The Leiber Collection hosts a captivating afternoon with visual artist Jeremy Dennis as he presents and signs copies of the second edition of his acclaimed book, “On This Site — Native Long Island.”

Delve into Long Island’s rich Native American history through Dennis’s mesmerizing 2016 photo series, brought to life in this beautifully updated edition. Immerse yourself in the stories of the land and its people through his stunning photography and profound narrative.

Dennis is a contemporary fine art photographer, a tribal member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, and lead artist and founder of the nonprofit Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc. on the Shinnecock Reservation.

His work explores Indigenous identity, culture and assimilation from the perspective of an Indigenous artist.

“My photography explores indigenous identity, cultural assimilation, and the ancestral traditional practices of my tribe, the Shinnecock Indian Nation,” said Dennis. “Though science has solved many questions about natural phenomena, questions of identity are more abstract, the answers more nuanced. My work is a means of examining my identity and the identity of my community, specifically the unique experience of living on a sovereign Indian reservation and the problems we face.

“Despite 400 years of colonization, we remain anchored to our land by our ancient stories. The Indigenous mythology that influences my photography grants me access to the minds of my ancestors, including the value they placed on our sacred lands,” he continued. “By outfitting and arranging models to depict those myths, I strive to continue my ancestors’ tradition of storytelling and showcase the sanctity of our land, elevating its worth beyond a prize for the highest bidder.”

Ma’s House is a project that began in June 2020 and serves as a communal art space based on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton. The family house, built in the 1960s now features a residency program for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) artists, a shared art studio, and a communal library, along with hosting an array of art and history-based programs for tribal members and the broader local community.

For more information on the program, visit leibermuseum.org. To reserve tickets, visit eventbrite.com and search “On This Site – Native Long Island.” Tickets are by donation and support future programming and educational initiatives at The Leiber Collection.

The Leiber Collection is located at 446 Old Stone Highway in the East Hampton hamlet of Springs. For more information call 631-329-3288.