Bracelet c. 1950s

This silver bracelet was made by a Navajo artist, and you can see it now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The bracelet's markings seem to be caught between two and three dimensions. What kind of tools were used to inscribe such fine lines, I wonder? And how were they held? The hand of its maker must have been incredibly steady! Look closely, and you'll see that the bracelet bears witness to the process of its own coming-into-being. It’s got dents and imperfections and signs of wear and tear. As its patina accumulates, the bracelet will continue to morph, becoming a palimpsest of touch and trace. For me, this kind of artwork is a reminder that meaning is never fixed. Each mark or stroke is part of an ongoing conversation with the world, and that’s what makes it so exciting.