Salmon Vertebrae - Silver Earrings with Pearl
Salmon Vertebrae - Silver Earrings with Pearl
1/2" x 7/16" dia.
Pearl earrings with silver salmon bones and handmade findings.
The Northern custom of returning the salmon bones to the river is both to show respect and ensure the return of the salmon. The silver Salmon vertibrae were developed as an organic long-term process. After catching a salmon on the Ksyeen River, Morgan collected a few of the vertebrae and cleaned them and dried them in the sun. She was eventually able to do nature casts, and then figured out how to prepare them in silver to be used for different types of jewelry. The lengthy process of cleaning and grinding out holes in each piece allowed her to keep the incredible texture and uniqueness of each vertebrae. It took seven years from catching the fish until completion.
This piece was originally created for the exhibition ‘Cycles: Themes of Renewal in Northwest Coast Jewellery’ at Lattimer Gallery between September 18 – October 2, 2021.
Morgan Asoyuf
CULTURAL GROUP:
Ts'msyen
BORN:
March 24, 1984
BIRTHPLACE:
Prince Rupert, BC
Morgan Asoyuf (nee. Green) was born March 24, 1984 in Prince Rupert, BC, to parents Henry Green and Jean Gardiner. Morgan is Ts'msyen Eagle Clan from Lax Kwallams, BC. Morgan's artistic career started with Blanche Macdonald Centre's Fashion Design Diploma, and an interest in painting Ts’msyen designs. She carved cedar and alder while working with Henry Green, learning about the properties of the wood and how to properly care for it. She took Bronze Casting at The Crucible art compound in Oakland, where industry professionals taught her both investment mold and sand casting. In 2007, Morgan assisted Haida/Salish carver Jordon Seward in the creation of a 30-foot memorial totem pole for Vancouver’s missing women of the Downtown Eastside. In 2010, Morgan began studying at Vancouver Metal Art School under Gerold Mueller, a goldsmith from Pforzheim Germany. She received diplomas in both Jewellery Design and Stone Cutting learning special techniques such as hollow construction, custom stone cutting, and advanced soldering. In 2014, she had a major solo exhibition at Vancouver's Bill Reid Gallery titled Ts'msyen Transforming, which displayed examples of her hollow-form jewellery. Morgan has studied design and engraving with Haida artist Richard Adkins, and completed gem setting courses at Revere Academy in San Francisco.
