David Gaussoin, 2006.
Photograph by Katrina Lasko. Copyright 2006 School of American Research.
David Gaussoin
Culture: Picuris Pueblo; Diné (Navajo)
b. 1975
The Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research announced the Gaussoin family of jewelers—Connie, David, and Wayne—as recipients of the 2006 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellowship.
The artistic works of David Gaussoin are experiential and expressive. He sustains the integrity of the past while building a new future in jewelry design. Directed toward a modernist world of linear patterns and concise architectural structure, hi jewelry is a vital force in today’s art world. It speaks also to a future of new artists, saying “we respect the past, but we cannot return to it.” Each work is thoughtfully rendered, representing artistic purity while creating a new global arena of Native creativity and expression.
At a young age, David Gaussoin was taught the basics of jewelry-making from hi mother. The learning process was at the same time impressionistic and realistic, providing a new momentum in creativity built on solid instruction. Even in the beginning, his early talent was masterful, innovative, and exciting. Today, David experiments with unconventional materials such as steel, and his techniques vary from traditional tufa casting and hand-stamping to wax casting. A skilled lapidarist, he also works in precious and semi-precious stones. “I am always interested in finding new ways of creating. I feel artists must push themselves and not be afraid to create new designs or ideas; this is what helps an artist grow,” says David.
David has never lost sight of their cultural heritage. “I tell people and collectors as a person I am very traditional and as an artist I am contemporary. I believe it is very important to learn our traditional ways in order to carry them forward,” David exclaims. Over the years, he has expanded his artistic knowledge by taking classes at Pueblo V Design Institute and the Institute of American Indian Arts, and he has a Business Degree from the Anderson School of Business at the University of Albuquerque. Brother Wayne graduated from St. Michael’s High School, earned an Associate of Fine Arts from Santa Fe Community College, and attended classes at the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Art Institute of Chicago. His artistic interests lie not only in creating jewelry, but also in photography, music, and fashion design.
The artistic works of David Gaussoin are experiential and expressive. He sustains the integrity of the past while building a new future in jewelry design. Directed toward a modernist world of linear patterns and concise architectural structure, hi jewelry is a vital force in today’s art world. It speaks also to a future of new artists, saying “we respect the past, but we cannot return to it.” Each work is thoughtfully rendered, representing artistic purity while creating a new global arena of Native creativity and expression.
At a young age, David Gaussoin was taught the basics of jewelry-making from hi mother. The learning process was at the same time impressionistic and realistic, providing a new momentum in creativity built on solid instruction. Even in the beginning, his early talent was masterful, innovative, and exciting. Today, David experiments with unconventional materials such as steel, and his techniques vary from traditional tufa casting and hand-stamping to wax casting. A skilled lapidarist, he also works in precious and semi-precious stones. “I am always interested in finding new ways of creating. I feel artists must push themselves and not be afraid to create new designs or ideas; this is what helps an artist grow,” says David.
David has never lost sight of their cultural heritage. “I tell people and collectors as a person I am very traditional and as an artist I am contemporary. I believe it is very important to learn our traditional ways in order to carry them forward,” David exclaims. Over the years, he has expanded his artistic knowledge by taking classes at Pueblo V Design Institute and the Institute of American Indian Arts, and he has a Business Degree from the Anderson School of Business at the University of Albuquerque. Brother Wayne graduated from St. Michael’s High School, earned an Associate of Fine Arts from Santa Fe Community College, and attended classes at the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Art Institute of Chicago. His artistic interests lie not only in creating jewelry, but also in photography, music, and fashion design.