Bracelet c. 1950s

Curator: Immediately, I see both strength and serenity, those robust silver curves embracing delicate turquoise. Editor: Indeed. This striking bracelet, currently residing at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, dates from the 1950s and is attributed to a Navajo artist. The silverwork feels powerfully modern even now. Curator: The turquoise, arranged almost like celestial bodies on a map… it makes me consider what spiritual or political meaning the Diné artist intended to imbue in their artwork? Editor: Indigenous jewelry like this isn't merely decorative. The materials themselves are culturally significant. Silver and turquoise were—and still are—associated with protection, healing, and prosperity. The craftsmanship reflects Diné values of harmony and balance. Curator: Do you think this piece challenges our conventional expectations of ‘Native art’ by engaging mid-century modernism? The bold geometry is in stark contrast to what many perceive as a flat, un-innovative representation of Indeginous arts and crafts. Editor: Exactly! It transcends stereotypes, demonstrating cultural continuity blended with dynamic artistry. These artists absorbed new ideas and tools, like the silver-working techniques introduced by European settlers. The appropriation and manipulation is inherently subversive. Curator: Considering it was made in the mid-20th century, post-World War II, perhaps we might read the clean lines and simplified forms through a lens of recovery and hope. The stark quality feels so resilient. Editor: It’s important we continue to contextualize works like this, within their social landscape. The narrative and artistry reflects not only personal or cultural values, but how they actively opposed displacement through creative expression, ensuring those identities continue to have influence and visibility. Curator: So the object is not only beautiful, it also becomes an act of political resistance. I hadn't fully appreciated the weight it carries. Editor: Ultimately, it highlights how intertwined material culture, identity, and survival can be for marginalized communities. Looking deeper provides a richness far beyond just the bracelet itself.