YOUNG JEWELERS: FORGING A FUTURE

The Young Jewelers: Forging a Future exhibition and the Shop came alive with the frenzy only great jewelry can inspire. Ranging in ages from 25 to 43, Curator of Collections Diana Pardue chose eight of the best in a new generation of jewelers; artists who work magic creating contemporary styles in silver, gold, diamond and other fine stones.

Artists include:

• Keri Ataumbi, Kiowa, (b. 1971)
  
• Jared Chavez, San Felipe, (b. 1982)
  
• David Gaussoin, Picuris/Navajo/French, (b. 1975)
  
• Wayne Nez Gaussoin, Picuris/Navajo/French, (b. 1982)
  
• Dylan Poblano, Zuni, (b. 1974)
  
• Maria Samora,Taos, (b. 1975)
  
• Cody Sanderson, Navajo, (b. 1964)
  
• Elizabeth Wallace, Navajo/Washoe/Maidu, (b. 1975)

Jeweler Maria Samora, Taos, fashions two-toned pieces and frequently combines silver with gold. To achieve the rich look of 24K gold while retaining the durability of 18K gold, Samora uses an Incan technique to add the 24K gold finish, “I like the way a design lays on the body—how it looks and how it makes you feel. The purpose of my art is to accentuate the body and capture the movement of the human form,” states Samora.

Artist Liz Wallace, Navajo/Washoe/Maidu, 32, creates jewelry using plique á jour, an intricate enameling technique. She is the first American Indian jewelry to use this technique. Amazingly this young artist has only been making jewelry for 12 years. Wallace’s experience is in contrast to the Gaussoin brothers, David and Wayne who both began making jewelry at age 9 with their mother on a bench made from a pool table in their den.

These young artists have worked hard to earn name recognition at an early age. At 43, the oldest of the group, Cody Sanderson, Navajo/Hopi/Pima/Nambe, describes his jewelry and metal work as “fun—visually digestible.” His designs are bold. Deep repousse’ lends dimension to a bracelet. Layers of spikes adorn a buckle. Sanderson reflects on his career as a jeweler, “It is a labor of love. You have to enjoy what you’re doing.” It is clear from this exceptional exhibition that these artists do more than enjoy their work, they excel at it. Each has developed an individual style and level of craftsmanship not usually seen so early in a career. These artists continue to grow and explore with out departing from their signature style.

Don't forget, you can still purchase work by the eight artists featured in Young Jewelers at the Heard Museum Shops!