J1270 Stewart Billie
Sterling silver cuff by Navajo silversmith Stewart Billie. The 1 1/8” wide cuff has a Longhair Kachina design with turquoise, jet and opal inlay.
Navajo silversmith Stewart Billie is the younger brother of Chris Billie. He is known for his contemporary inlay jewelry, using older techniques. Stewart is quoted "My influences mainly come from painters like Tony Abeyta, Fritz Shoulder and Peterson Yazzie. I use the tufa stone to channel my thoughts, my feelings and love of Dine'Tah (Navajo Land) into my carvings".
Tufa casting is a technique of pouring molten silver into a tufa stone mold and letting it harden into a given form. The mold is only used once; therefore each item is an original piece.
About the artist
Stewart Billie
Navajo
Stewart Billie is a Navajo Tufa Artist from Fort Wingate, New Mexico. He is known for his contemporary inlay jewelry, using older techniques. His imaginative, sculptural, contemporary sandcast pieces that have established him as someone to watch.
Stewart is quoted: "My influences mainly come from painters like Tony Abeyta, Fritz Shoulders and Peterson Yazzie. I use the tufa stone to channel my thoughts, my feelings and love of Dine'Tah (Navajo Land) into my carvings"
"Every piece has a spirit, a voice! Why would you dishonor a gift from the creator in mass producing your culture and traditions? We must education through our art."
He won a First prize at the Totah Festival in 2011
Stewart Billie is the younger brother of Chris Billie
