Denice Banks
Denice Banks is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores themes of Healing, Motherhood, and the necessity of Community. She is a Salinan Woman who was born and raised in California and now resides in Montauk, New York with her daughter. Inspired by the natural beauty surrounding her, Denice’s art is a reflection of her connection to the land and its healing energies. Through her photography, paintings, and handcrafted creations, she is able to express her gratitude for and relationship with her healing journey.
Denice’s artwork is deeply personal, rooted in her heritage and a desire to share her healing process in hopes that it will empower and support others. Her work honors the sacred relationship between Motherhood, Community, the Earth and creates a space for connection and growth.
featured pieces in otec
Balsa Canoe
Title: Coming Home : A Traditional Canoe named Pogie
By: Denice Banks
Assisted By: Sequoiah Davy
Materials: Phragmites Reeds, Jute Twine, Abalone Shell, Corn Husk
Dimensions: 12.5" x 114" x 18" in.
Year: 2025
Description:
This canoe is a miniature re-imagining of a traditional Balsa Canoe, which would have been used to navigate the Coastal waterways by the California Tribes who resided there. These vessels would have been made using Tule Reeds, which can not be found here on Long Island. For this reason, this particular canoe was made with phragmites reeds.
Many Tribes across California, including the Ohlone and Pomo, used these Balsa Canoes and continue to keep this tradition alive today through Cultural Revitalization workshops and courses. They were also used by the Salinan People, or Te’po’ta’ahl : The People of the Oaks.
“Pogie” was created by Denice Banks, with the help of her daughter Sequoiah, in an effort to shed light on her people, the Salinan Tribe of San Luis Obispo and Monterey. The Tribe has been fighting for Federal Recognition for over four decades and are often forgotten and referred to as “extinct” in textbooks and in historical documents. This project was intended to communicate that the Te'po'ta'ahlare very much Still Here. Still Connecting with the Land. Still Learning. Still Breathing life into Traditional Ways and passing that knowledge onto our children.
The canoe was named after Denice’s grandmother Mary Banks, who her loved ones warmly referred to as Pogie. Mary was an Activist, Philanthropist and Educator in the Native American Education Center with the Stockton Unified School District. She was the Matriarch of her family and taught her children and grandchildren to remember who they are and where they come from. She was well respected by many and an inspiration to all.
Shadow box
Going To Electra
Title: Going to Electra
By: Denice Banks
Materials: Wooden Shadow Box, Sand and Water from Mokelumne River, Abalone Shell, Clay, Galls, Acorns, Tree Branch, Corn Husk
Dimensions: 2.3" x 11” x 14” in.
Year: 2025
Description:
This shadow box was created to capture the beauty and essence of the Mokelumne River in Jackson, California. This place holds significant meaning to artist Denice Banks and was the first place she could remember having a deep and spiritual connection with the natural world. Her father, Michael Banks, often mentioned that there were healing powers in the water there. For any ailment, both spiritual or physical, it was believed by her family that the water in Mokelumne River, down Electra Rd., could cleanse you.
She has been returning back to this place since childhood and will continue to do so for years to come, to pay respects to and give back to the land that has given so much to her and her family.
prints
Morning Ceremony
Title: Morning Ceremony
By: Denice Banks
Dimensions: 16” x 20” in
Year: 2022
A Cardinal rests gently upon the branches of a grand Cedar tree. With its vibrant red feathers set against the dark green Cedar, this tiny Relative serves as a reminder that Ceremony and Prayer can happen anywhere, at any time. It does not have to be a big event. It can be a quiet thought on a misty Montauk morning, amongst the trees.
The color red is often thought, by many Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, to be the color that the Spirits can see and are called to. Cedar is considered to be one of the Four Sacred Medicines, along with Tobacco, Sweetgrass and Sage. It is often used to smudge, as a way to cleanse the Spirit and Space for Prayer.
These Cedar Trees are Sacred Beings. They are Entities which must be protected, respected and cared for, as they have been by the Eastern Woodlands People; the original Stewards of this land. This Cardinal calls for us to sit and pray with these Beings. It reminds us to bring Offerings, Prayers and to stand in Reverence, as we should with all of Earth's Creations.
Stillness
Title: Stillness
By: Denice Banks
Dimensions: 16” x 20” in.
Year: 2022
During a walk through Montauk, the Artist was met by these four Bucks on a misty morning. While she navigated the complex emotions accompanied by Grief, these majestic animals offered a moment of respite. They paused, quietly shared space and allowed her to feel safe with that pain, if only for a short moment.
This encounter is just one example of the many ways the Natural World communicates with us in times of need.
It is also a reminder of how we must reciprocate that care and respect for the ones who watch over us.