30" x 24", oil on canvas painting by Justen Okanemi

Turtle Eyeland is a painting inspired by Justen's indigenous roots to America by was of his Seminole ancestry and proud heritage. Before the land we know as America received its name, Turtle Island was the name that many indigenous tribes and peoples recognized this land as. Turtles carry significance and symbolisms beyond the surface representation of Turtles. Part of the influence behind this name is due to North America's shape and how the land's outline resembles a turtle, along with many oral stories of how the Turtle holds the world on its back, signifying the turtles' importance to life.