Title: Akhsótha Akò there ne Yetsi'tsyaráhkwa

Artist: "Three Sisters Design" - Karennotakies Barnes

Tribal Affiliation: Mohawk of Akwesasne

Year Completed: 2022

Medium: Beadwork, Leatherwork

Dimensions (HxWxD): 14" x 7.5"

Description/Inspiration:

I made this piece using materials passed down from my grandmother. Leather weaving to represent the leather work and basket making she used to do. The flowers to represent her beautiful flower garden. The Deer Antler was gifted to me, i wanted to incorporate it because she ran a "hats for hides". This decorative wall hanger will add beauty to any space. "Akhsótha Akò there ne Yetsi'tsyaráhkwa" is Mohawk meaning "My Grandmother's Flowerbasket".

Artist Bio/Statement:

I am the artist behind Three Sisters Designs. My Kanien'kéha name is Karennotakies, which means she is singing around. I am Mohawk turtle clan of Akwesasne. I like using the traditional Hadenosaunee style of raised beadwork. I incorporate natural materials such as leather and wampum as seen in my work. I learned the same way many artist have, at Totas table. My grandma Donna Benedict taught me how to bead, sew, and work with leather. I've be creating since I was 15, going on 13 years all together. I started my business after my grandmother passed away about 4 years ago. She was the driving force behind Three Sisters Designs. Through creating its help me grieve and heal living without her, and I can only strive to as good of an artist as she was. A lot of my inspiration comes from my family, I have a beautiful son and daughter. I also find a lot of inspiration while being a language student and learning more of our history. I love looking at beadwork from the 1800-1900's there so much beauty in our history and language. As I'm working on the piece for the Peace Love Art: Indigenous Collective I'm using techniques my grandmother taught me and techniques that I have learned myself and merging the two together. Im calling the piece "Tota's basket" Tota being the Mohawk term for grandparent. My grandma was also a basket maker so this piece is 100% inspired by her and the teachings she has taught me, in beadwork and life. I'm so excited to show everyone the final piece, and I hope to continue making beadwork that last generations. All my creations and future creations can be found on my Instagram profile "Three Sisters Design". Nía:wen/ thank you.

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