Customer Reviews

Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest

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Totems To Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts Of The Northwest And Southwest is a lavish artbook filled cover-to-cover with full-color photographs not only of beautiful Native American jewelry, but also portraits of the individual artists crafters who create it. Brief descriptions of each piece and broader essays enlighten the reader as to how and why these visually stunning articles were created, and the symbolism underlying their design. Many pieces feature short commentaries by the creators themselves. A truly well-rounded treasury and a welcome addition to contemporary Native American art shelves.

I lucked onto Totems to Turquoise at a local museum gift shop after exposure to the arts of the northwestern and southwestern Native American in 2008 and 2009. It is an excellent resource highlighting important contemporary artists as well as recognized masters who have had major impact on the market. What sets this great find apart from others is the ample discourse with the artists who reveal their connection to their work, their inspiration, and how their upbringing and cultural traditions impact the artist and the art. The depth of spiritual awareness that is accessed during creation is quite moving--and it is this "unquantifiable" factor that adds additional value to each work of art. The making of this book enabled some artists of the northwest and southwest to come together for the first time, thus developing new bonds and new creative influences.