For Toneh Chuleewah, silversmithing is a family
tradition. Having learned the art in 1978, Chuleewah has had a 24-year
career in what he calls metalsmithing. "I actually do metalsmithing
because I use more than just silver," said Chuleewah. Chuleewah learned
this art from his father who was a silversmith for many years in Pryor,
Okla., at Quannah's Native American Crafts. "My father taught me
traditional Indian style silversmithing," said Chuleewah. "I learned some
different techniques in college and experimented on my own." Long before
Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the North and South American
Indians were using metals of all varieties. Silversmithing was common in
many tribes, but not in the Cherokee tribes. It is reported that when
the Cherokee Indians found gold they then began to work it
into ornaments.
"There were a few Cherokee silversmiths in history, but no 'Cherokee
style' of silversmithing," said Chuleewah. "That leaves me room to
pursue my own style of silversmithing." But pursuing his own style
does not mean that his work is without Indian influence. "I do my
artwork for self satisfaction, not for praise from other people. That
frees me up to pursue my own direction," said Chuleewah. "Even
though my stuff has a modern look to it, I feel I have a more Indian
style, using natural and hard geometric shapes combined in the
finished design. This, to me, is more traditional than the Spanish
influenced style of the Southwest."
(Source, CHC 2002)
