Virtual Program: Ripples. Through a Wampanoag Lens. 

Aquinnah Wampanoag whaling descendant, and marine scientist, Elizabeth James-Perry discussed her art and the concept for the show, Ripples. Through a Wampanoag Lens. The discussion was moderated by the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Curator of Social History, Akeia de Barros Gomes. Elizabeth explained how her designs and the raw materials for the exhibition each have personal and historic cultural meanings connected to them.

This engaging conversation focused on subjects such as Indigenous gender roles and responsibilities, deep knowledge of the environment and important adaptations to four hundred-plus years of close contact with completely different cultures from Europe and around the globe, both by the tribal Wampanoag communities here as well as by Wampanoag whalemen and naval officers on the decks of ships that traveled the world. Elizabeth shared how this history influences and inspires her work.