Hayden Haynes is an antler carving artist working deeply in cultural arts revitalization and teaching.
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.
A citizen 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.
He has been supported through residencies, 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, The Center for Craft, and the New York State Council on the Arts, among others.
Hayden currently lives and works in Seneca-Allegany Territory.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My work is about healing– an expression of Hodinöhsö:ni’ life today, showing where we come from, where we are today, and where we are going. I enjoy testing the limits of antler, and innovating the work in terms of style and color. What is equally important to me is sharing knowledge about the material and art as it relates to its cultural relevancies to our people. I do this through presentations and through social media. I also find satisfaction teaching others how to carve by teaching classes and workshops – it is my goal to help revive this art form. In addition, it is through my work that I aim to recognize, uplift, and amplify the voices of our Indigenous women as they continue to reclaim their spaces.”
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