By Olivia Sanford, Seneca Iroquois National Museum
Carson Waterman is a well-known artist from the Seneca Nation of Indians. Carson is a member of the Snipe Clan. He had attended the Cooper School of Art, in Cleveland, Ohio and received an Associates of Art in 1967. Immediately afterwards, he was drafted to go to Vietnam. He toured Vietnam from 1968-1969. Though, Carson become a “Combat Artist” in his last five months in Vietnam.
After leaving Vietnam he then completed an internship at the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington, D.C. in 1976. Carson also completed an internship at the New York State Museum in 1979. He also served an important role in the development of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum. He worked here from 1975-1988, and now has returned to be our first Elder Master Artist in Residence. Carson is also a long-time member of the Native Roots Artists Guild. (nativerootsartistguild.com)
Carson has said “For me, art is self-expression. Being a Seneca Indian artist, my art is almost always Seneca-Iroquois culture based. Because of our unique history, land (territory) rights, there is never-ending reason to produce art. This in turn, contributes to our ability to survive as a people. I have done public art involving mosaic tile, stainless steel, stained glass, etc. We must interpret and express our history and our culture ourselves because we know it best.” We see it in his art and our community.
Carson has a great eye for detail and colors. Over the decades you can see how the style has changed and remains very traditional. His work can be seen throughout Western New York in the Seneca Niagara, Buffalo Creek and Allegany Casinos and some of his originals are on display at the Seneca- Iroquois National Museum.
We are excited to have Carson here with us to share his techniques and stories. As our first Master Elder Artist in Residence we honor the museum’s mission for the community.
