8. Ovate Pattern Cufflinks

Alex worked in traditional materials such as bone, shell, stone and wood until the late 1980s when his brother, Manos, introduced him to Michael Kabotie, the Hopi silversmith. Now Alex works exclusively with silver as his primary material and uses traditional materials as highlights. Adapting and exploring traditional Māori designs within the silver medium, he incorporates traditional motifs in his uniquely constructed and carved silver pieces. Since 1986, his primary focus has been directed to resolving historical grievances of his tribe over land and resources with the Crown. This has taken so much of his time that his jewellery production is minimal and creates a constant demand from collectors. His work was exhibited in "Fusion: Tradition & Discovery" (1999) and in "Kiwa-Pacific Connections" (2003), both held in Vancouver, Canada.

—excerpt from Manawa—Pacific Heartbeat

©2005 Spirit Wrestler Gallery