Yazzie Johnson and Gail Bird: Winter 2024

The Owings Gallery is honored to present a new exhibition showcasing the latest works by esteemed jewelers Yazzie Johnson, Navajo, and Gail Bird, from Laguna and Santo Domingo Pueblo. On view from December 11th, 2024, through January 25th, 2025, this exhibition celebrates over five decades of creative collaboration between two of the most respected figures in contemporary Indigenous jewelry.

As Bird reflects, "The stones, materials, design and images we use reflect the continuing adaptation and growth of all design while remembering the importance of wearable jewelry to our cultures." Their work marries a deep respect for tradition with innovative explorations of form, texture, and material.

Meticulously hand-fabricated, the jewelry of Johnson and Bird speaks to their shared commitment to craftsmanship and cultural integrity. "We use both our names to recognize the roles that both men and women have shared in this work," Bird adds, highlighting the equal partnership that defines their artistic process.