Jewelry
James Faks jewelry are all his very own contemporary, brushed silver custom created “wearable art” pieces.
Knowing that life on a reservation is difficult, money and supplies are sparse, creativity and ingenuity are in huge supply in order to survive.
James first introduction to the beauty of jewelry was observing his father set a brown diamond into a 22 ct gold ring. Just remembering the details as he did shows the appreciation he had for the styles and attractiveness that each piece of jewelry can offer.
While his father created James started to experiment with carvings on wood. During this time of development, age 14, he totally realized he also was going to do art. He knew it was within him to “do it as well as he could.” Thankfully for all of us who own any piece of any of his art, he has continued.
He continued to develop his trades on his own. At age 18 he learned the art of making his jewelry tools by another artist, an Elder. The majority of James tools were hand made and he still has every one of them with him to this day. Tools were made from any high carbon steel, this includes however is not limited to old push rods from engine parts. What may look like junk to one is another’s dream of livelihood.
James Fäks has made his own tools and just another extremely unique feature to all his jewelry designs. Not only is each design created within his imagination, each tool to make the design has been created by him with the purpose of knowing “he didn’t want to be like everyone else.”
Each piece of jewelry starts with the pure form of silver or ingot, then all by hand is designed, shaped, cut, sawed, stamped, hammered, chased, domed, filed, soldered, polished and or brushed. Faks jewelry - belts, earrings, necklaces, bolo ties, rings, bracelets/cuffs, pendants, pins, barrettes, purses, serving pieces - are all his very own contemporary, brushed silver designs using traditional tools and crafts. It is an old world form keeping up with modern times to achieve “wearable art” pieces.
James Fäks Jewelry has been featured and he is a member at:
* Palace of Governor, Sante Fe (one of very few Blackfeet artist)
* Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC)
* Fine Arts Museum, New Mexico
* Wheelwright Museum
* Dewey Gallery
* Price Dewey Gallery
* Heard Museum, Arizona
Published works in: (Evening Purse was featured) Museum of Arts & Design, Changing Hands: Art Without Reservations 2 Contemporary Native North American Art from the West, Northwest & Pacific 2005 Published