Chrysler Museum of Art Honors the Indigenous Peoples of Virginia

(NORFOLK, Va. Nov. 20, 2023) – It’s beautiful by day and beautiful by night. The outdoor sculpture TSENACOMMACAH, a new letter lightbox installation created by a team of four artists, Erick Krigsvold, Rebecca Hill, Ethan Brown, and Yvonne Goad, members of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe of Virginia, can be found in front in front of the Chrysler Museum of Art at One Memorial Place, Norfolk.

“When I was approached by Reclaiming the Monument to discuss TSENACOMMACAH, it seemed perfectly timed to both answer the call from members of our Native Advisory Council to exhibit local Indigenous artists and serve as a visual embodiment of the language in our Land Acknowledgement,” said Chelsea Pierce, McKinnon Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Chrysler Museum. “This project continues our commitment to expanding representation and widening the platform for diverse voices both inside and outside of the Museum,” Pierce added.

Chief Keith Anderson gives a blessing at the unveiling of the Tsenacommach installation on October 19, 2023.

TSENACOMMACAH, the name for this large-scale piece of public art, comes from the Indigenous name for the land on which the Chrysler Museum stands. The piece features motifs significant to Native life and culture. Moving left to right, from sea to land to fire, the lightbox letters portray animals and elements that celebrate the Indigenous peoples who have been living on and cultivating this land from time immemorial.

“I applaud all of the artists for the unique and dynamic creation. The production is definitely one of a kind, and a strong depiction of Virginia Indian life and culture,” said Keith Anderson, Principal Chief, Nansemond Indian Nation.

Visitors and followers of the Chrysler Museum may recognize this word from the newly-minted Land Acknowledgement established at the Museum in July 2023. TSENACOMMACAH was commissioned by the Richmond-based organization, Reclaiming the Monument. It was first installed at Libby Hill in Richmond in 2022 in honor of Native American Heritage Month in November. Now, on a long-term loan to the Chrysler Museum, TSENACOMMACAH makes a striking visual statement to honor past, present, and future Indigenous peoples of Virginia, in time to honor the 2023 Native American Heritage Month.

“We are so pleased to recognize the region’s history and continue our commitment to Indigenous Peoples who lived here,” said Erik H. Neil, Macon and Joan Brock Director. “These opportunities allow us to carry out our mission of bringing art and people together,” Neil added.

Remarks and a blessing by Keith Anderson, Principal Chief, Nansemond Indian Nation, were made in recognition of the placement when it was unveiled at the NEON Festival at the Chrysler Museum of Art on October 19, 2023. It will be on view through 2024.

ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART

The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector who donated thousands of objects from his private collection to the Museum. The Museum has growing collections in many areas and mounts an ambitious schedule of visiting exhibitions and educational programs each season. The Chrysler Museum has also been recognized nationally for its unique commitment to inclusion with its innovative gallery host program.

The Perry Glass Studio is a state-of-the-art facility on the Museum’s campus. The studio offers programming for aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes, including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking and neon.

In addition, the Chrysler Museum of Art administers the Moses Myers House, a historic house in downtown Norfolk, as well as the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org, find us on Facebook, Instagram or call (757) 664-6200.

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