"Beauty All Around Me" by Kimberly Lee -
☆ Honorable Mention ☆
"I created the jewelry piece “Beauty All Around Me” during a time when the pandemic really hit the Navajo Reservation. My intent was to share with relatives near and far a piece of the four directions to keep them grounded. To remind them that although we were growing through this hardship to have faith and keep balance by utilizing prayers and teachings to help guide us through darkness to light."
The materials that I used to create this jewelry piece is leather, leather paint, abalone Shell, Magnesite Turquoise, Sterling Silver Hooks, Nickel Findings, and Rhinestones. While constructing this jewelry piece I had in mind teachings of the different worlds, the significance of each sacred mountain, and the specific meaning behind the abalone Shell and Turquoise stones.
The current state of the San Francisco Peaks is disheartening because it’s sacred and being disrespected for financial gain. I think of the mountain as a living entity that is utilized daily in prayer and medicine. This mountain is one of the main elements to not only mine but other indigenous peoples livelihood."
Kimberly's Art!