The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on select Wednesdays from June through September.
Jennifer Pictou, draws inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of her ancestors’ resistance and survival, infusing her work with elements of tradition and history. Through the ancient techniques of glass beads, lampwork, and stained glass, she reclaims Indigenous space and weaves a contemporary narrative that honors the resilience and beauty of Mi’kmaq people in her homeland. In her beadwork she delves into the cultural resistance of her ancestors to create one-of-a-kind statement pieces of intricate form and function.
Through all of her work she explores the themes of identity and belonging, using the interplay of light and color to reclaim and redefine Mi’kmaq narratives in a contemporary context. Each piece is a rebuttal of the prevalent ideas that we are no longer here, reminding viewers of the importance of preserving and honoring indigenous heritage in an ever-changing world.
All Cultural Connections programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership between Acadia National and the Abbe Museum, and are free and open to the public.
About Jennifer Pictou
As an artist deeply connected to my Mi’kmaq heritage, I draw inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of my ancestors’ resistance and survival, infusing my work with elements of tradition and history. Through the ancient techniques of glass beads, lampwork, and stained glass, I reclaim indigenous space and weave a contemporary narrative that honors the resilience and beauty of Mi’kmaq people in my homeland. In the fiery torch, I mold molten glass into statements of today’s enduring issues and passions. Each bead and sculpture tell a story of strength and perseverance, reflecting the enduring legacy of my ancestors. Within the delicacy of stained glass, I draw from the vibrant hues of ancestral objects and the natural world, using the Colonizer’s own medium of religious oppression to tell our story of survival and world views. In my beadwork I delve into the cultural resistance of my ancestors to create one-of-a-kind statement pieces of intricate form and function. These represent a claiming of modernity and space within fashion. Through all of my work I explore the themes of identity and belonging, using the interplay of light and color to reclaim and redefine Mi’kmaq narratives in a contemporary context. Each piece is a rebuttal of the prevalent ideas that we are no longer here, reminding viewers of the importance of preserving and honoring indigenous heritage in an ever-changing world.
