318 Hawley Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13203
My name is Brandon Lazore. I am Snipe clan from the Onondaga Nation. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Onondaga Community college where I studied art. My work celebrates Haudenosaunee culture and serves as a learning tool for passersby. I’ve been painting murals since the mid 90’s in many NY cities, primarily my hometown Syracuse. Recently, I am becoming more and more well known for my paintings. As you may know, in the summer of
2013, I was chosen to paint a mural to honor of the 400 year anniversary of the Two row wampum. It can be seen there
today on the south face of the Seneca street garage in Ithaca, NY. This summer, I will be painting a piece at the Iroquois Indian museum in Howes Cave, NY.
My mural proposal is called “Women’s Nomination.” It is dedicated to all woman of the Haudenosaunee. In the top
right corner of the painting is a silhouette of “Skywoman” a woman falling from Sky World. In moments, she will be
caught in the air by flying geese and put on turtles back - “Turtle Island.” In her hands she holds roots of the three sisters - corn, beans, and squash. The elder woman in the green represents a Clan Mother, grandmother, elder. The woman
in the purple blanket is her daughter and the baby is her daughter’s daughter. The wampum belt is the Women’s Nomination Belt which represents among other things the right that Haudenosaunee woman have to give their child a clan, to
chose the names given to the children, and to choose who will be the chiefs in the confederacy. Strawberries represent
medicine like a mother’s love is medicine to a child. The moon represents fertility and how it’s cycle plays a huge role
in every woman’s life. The Sky Domes in the top left is inspired by traditional Haudenosaunee art decorating our clothing for centuries. It represents the sky world and the plants that were given to us corn, beans, squash, and tobacco.
I will be painting this piece mainly in acrylic paint with some details in spray paint. My first choice is the wall under
the red steps of the snow enclosure on Green St. Of course I will adjust the shape of the painting to fit the space you
choose. The timeline I have available is flexible. I am simultaneously turning this proposal in as a submission for Art
in the Heart. As needed, I am happy to work with the Public Art Commission to ensure this project is successful.
I feel this mural would be great for Ithaca because it is dedicated to the feminine side of the Haudenosaunee culture,
and people can have a better understanding of how important the woman in our culture is to are society.
Thank you for your time,
Brandon Lazore
“Women’s Nomination”
Brandon Lazore
318 Hawley Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13203