COURTNEY M. LEONARD

 

Courtney Michele Leonard is an artist and filmmaker from the Shinnecock Nation of Long Island, New York. “Shinnecock” translates to “people of the level land” or “people of the shore”. Leonard’s work explores the evolution of language, image and culture through mixed media pieces of video, audio, and tangible objects. She studied art and museum studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts (AFA 2000), Alfred University (BFA 2002), and the Rhode Island School of Design (MFA 2008). Her current work embodies an exploration and documentation of historical ties to water, whale, and material sustainability.

 

Leonard has given lectures and exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at Toi Ngaphui Northland College (NZ), the Museum of Art and Design (New York), Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (Santa Fe), Eastern Connecticut University (Willimantic,USA), Tribeca Film Institute (New York), National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, DC), University of the Creative Arts Farnham (UK), and the University of Rostock (DE).

 

She currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and works as a professional artist, lecturer,and Visiting Professor, Studio Arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts.