Bracelet c. 1930s

This bracelet was made by an A'shiwi, or Zuni, artist and is now held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The piece feels both ancient and contemporary. Like much abstract art, it creates a new way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world, because it's based on the repetition of simple forms. The bracelet is made from silver and turquoise; the turquoise stones are set in rows and columns, like pixels in a digital image, which emphasizes the grid-like structure of the piece. Each stone is slightly different in shape and color, which gives the bracelet a sense of liveliness and movement, as if the stones are breathing. Look closely, and you'll see the small variations in the silver settings, evidence of the artist's hand. This bracelet reminds me a little of the early paintings of Agnes Martin. The systematic ordering of parts, while acknowledging imperfection within the structure, creates a contemplative and meditative artwork. While seemingly simple, the repetition of forms generates complexity and depth, celebrating the artmaking process.