“Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest,” By Kari Chalker, Harry N. Abrams, 223 pages
Growing up in the Southwest — New Mexico, Arizona and southern Nevada — I developed an early appreciation for Native American culture. New Mexico, with its many museums and cultural activities devoted to local and regional Native American tribes, probably made the most impact during my formative years, as my family moved several times within the Land of Enchantment state. Santa Fe, Farmington and Albuquerque are all cities I called home at one time or another, and even if I wasn’t old enough to be fully conscious of the Native American history surrounding me, I absorbed much that influenced me and made me the person that I am today.
Fast forward to the mid-1990s, and I find myself living in the Northwest — another region heavily influenced by Native American history and tradition. I begin to learn about Pacific Northwest tribes with very different sounding names than their Southwest neighbors: Cowlitz, Nisqually, Quinault, Lummi, among many others. Between these two regions there may be distinct cultural differences, but for me one thing remains the same. What interests me the most about Native American culture regardless of geographical location is the great variety of artistic skills showcased in both traditional and contemporary Native American art. Whether it’s an ancient hand-woven basket unearthed in an archaeological dig, or a 21st century hand-thrown piece of pottery on display in a metropolitan art gallery, beauty emerges from the hands of Native American artists.
How happy I was to discover this week’s book “Totems to Turquoise” in the library’s collection. Presenting a stunning collection of handcrafted Native American jewelry from the Southwest and the Northwest, editor Kari Chalker, along with several contributing editors, highlights both the physical and spiritual beauty found among the pieces created by contemporary Native North American jewelry artists.
