Tol-pi-yiné Simbola
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TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Picuris Pueblo
MEDIUM: Jewelry
BIOGRAPHY
Tol-pi-yiné is a metalsmith from Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico but makes his creations from a small studio space in the heart of Downtown Santa Fe.
"My mother taught me to make jewelry when I was 12 years old while she was homeschooling me and I was fortunate enough to create jewelry and participate in the prestigious SWAIA Indian Market in Santa Fe, NM for 7 years as a youth. Creating jewelry for the Indian Market became my art class and I was able to explore basic fabricating techniques. Years of experience and inspiration from the top of the line Native Artists I was surrounded by, made me even more creative and willing to experiment."
Tol-pi-yiné's newest creation "Dragon Skinn" is a stand-out contemporary line of jewelry that resembles the scales or 'skin' like texture of the mythical creature, created by meticulously and repeatedly stamping from both sides with a single diamond repoussé stamp.
"When I think of typical “Native American” art, I think pottery, paintings of plains and horses, sculpture, basketry, sacred things with natural color, and certain geometrical shapes. Sterling silver is not always one of these - especially in the hands of someone like myself. Growing up traditional but also having influence of the modern world has given me a different perspective on designs as a jeweler. Even though I keep a certain aesthetic, I like to try new things to see what may come from my inspirations at the time. I don't center my work around turquoise or traditional influence - but rather let my stamp work and fabrication speak for themselves. Everything I create is one of a kind, and no two pieces are the same."
