Boundless K-12 Curriculum: KINSHIP

What are ways that social or cultural identity link people over time and distance?

A rectangular piece of birchbark with a circular piece of abalone shell in the center. From the shell are geometric pathways that are all interconnected by the same line.
Sierra Henries (Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuc, American, born 1987)

Pathways, 2023.
Freehand pyrography on winter birchbark, scallop shell, braided sinew.
Courtesy of the artist.

Sierra Henries’ artwork, Pathways, shows the ongoing connection between all people.

“The pathways in life can go in many directions, take twists and turns, and have seemingly dead ends. In this piece, I take a step back and offer the perspective that maybe our individual pathways are more connected to community and to Source than we may think. One continuous line flows out from the shell disc at the center and is dotted with the representation of people walking their paths.” 

– Sierra Henries

A detail of Sierra Henries’ artwork showing the thin outlines and series of dots carved into the wood surface.

Can you think of some ways that “pathways” connect you with others in your life?

Learn more about Sierra Henries
overlapping concentric circles made by ripples in water.

Boundless K-12 Curriculum

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