Photographs created by New York artist Xiomáro (pronounced SEE-oh-MAH-ro) will be included in the Long Island Museum’s large scale exhibit “Long Island at War: Battle Front and Home Front,” from May 23 to December 29, 2014, in Stony Brook.
Xiomáro created the photographs under commissions by the National Park Service. William Floyd, who signed the Declaration of Independence and fought in the Revolutionary War under George Washington, will be prominently featured with photographs of his house in Mastic, his rarely seen ceremonial sword and the Chippendale desk from which he worked. His descendants’ involvement in subsequent wars is also included. A photograph of a Civil War recruitment poster represents his grandson’s service in the Union Army. John Gelston Floyd’s World War II jacket and other memorabilia are displayed in another photograph taken in one of the dining rooms of the house in Mastic, which is open to the public as part of Fire Island National Seashore. For the Spanish-American War, Long Island’s other National Park comes into view with an imposing photograph of Theodore Roosevelt resplendent in his Rough Rider uniform. Xiomáro created the close-up from a painting hanging in Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.
Long Island has been a crucial and often unsung player in nearly every American war. From Brooklyn to Montauk, generations of Long Island men and women have served and sacrificed for the country’s cause, and the region has been essential to the industrial supply, combat training and coastal defense of the nation. The region’s military role has been vital, multifaceted, and ever-present: the Battle of Long Island in 1776, the essential war products created by Grumman Corporation and other Long Island-based companies in World War II, the solemn resting place provided to today’s fallen military heroes at Calverton National Cemetery.
Xio is a nationally exhibited artist who uses photography to breathe life into iconic American figures. His work has been covered by The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Fine Art Connoisseur and many other national media outlets. He began as an Artist-in-Residence at Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut, where he continues as a Visiting Artist. His solo exhibit at Harvard University features his Sagamore Hill collection.
The Long Island Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and is located at 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook, NY 11790. A free e-book containing some of Xiomáro’s work is available at www.xiomaro.com.