Over the course of a 35-year career in the Southwest, jeweler Arland Ben has become a well-liked and inspirational force in the world of jewelry. The 64-year-old artist starts every day with a thought-provoking quote and by offering well wishes to his social media followers. His humbleness and kindness are reflected in how he lives his life and how interacts with people. Those rich qualities spill over into his jewelry.
Left: Deity Bolo, 2025, sterling silver bolo with Bisbee turquoise and squash blossom tips. Right: Warrior Bolo, 2024, fabricated sterling silver with 18K gold overlay and Bisbee turquoise
“I grew up on Navajo land in Aneth, Utah, and I was delivered in the church because there wasn’t a hospital on the Northern Navajo Reservation where I was born,” Ben says. “The nuns were the ones that did all the deliveries for the children on the rez.”
Today, Ben is father to two sons and a daughter-in-law—he’s proud of all of them. “Kory, my oldest, received an [economics] degree then went into the Army because he wanted to serve our country. He refused a four-year, full-ride degree to Harvard but decided to go to the university near home. Satchel took the ACT test and missed only five questions. He got a full ride to Johns Hopkins University but went on to get his MBA near home like Kory did,” Ben relates. His daughter-in-law, Allison, also received her MBA. The artist beams with pride when speaking of his kids. “Well, I should say that all the credit goes to my wife Lori for our kids…If we go way back, I always used to say that the number one thing was just the three of us—me myself and I—but after I married Lori, I learned it’s we, not me. You want to know something else about kids? They make you think so much about the questions they ask, and it really opens your mind. As an artist I say, why didn’t I think of that simple way to do this or that?”
Left: Silver Tatanka Buckle, 2023, sterling silver, overlay technique with high-grade Bisbee turquoise, 3½ x 20 in. Right: Sterling Silver Bracelet, Canyon De Chelly, 2021, hand-hammered, chased, overlay technique, 2 in.
Ben and his family are very patriotic and focus on the achievements of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. These Navajo soldiers used their unique language to relay orders during battle. The codes were never broke. “The words they used to transmit private messages were traditional Navajo words that our children learn in their native tongue—children’s first words. Yeah, imagine that,” he says. “Simple words [were] understood by all Navajo that knew their native tongue, but no one else would know. They knew exactly what was being said to them in that code. Cracking that code was impossible for the Japanese.”
Interviewing Ben about his life and career further illuminates his work and philosophy as an artist.
Silver Traditional Bracelet, 2023, three Bisbee turquoise cabs, 1½ in. wide
Who do you credit for teaching you your art?
My father taught me to design. Beading was taught by my mom. Stamping from my brother-in-law, Vincent Platero. The rest of the techniques are self-taught…I started my journey into art when I was in Native American Boarding School in Utah. I excelled in drawing. At that time jewelry was not an option as the school did not have the equipment. I remember one Christmas Eve, only three kids were left. Everyone else was already picked up. I had drawn all night long because I knew my parents would be there any second. My parents finally picked me up on Christmas day. I asked them why they didn’t pick me up two or three days ago. My dad said, “They made me work until today.” I understood and was OK with it.
Have you received any awards or recognition for your artwork?
Yes, from SWAIA, Oxford University in England and the permanent collection from [the] Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. I was awarded two second-place ribbons from SWAIA. The design award from Oxford. The Smithsonian wanted an 8-inch silver seed bowl for their permanent collection.
Coin Silver Bracelet, 2018, hand-hammered ingot with three Bisbee turquoise stones
When did you make your first sale and what was it?
That was around 1990. A set of earrings in a flower design with overlay technique.
Where do you find your inspiration for your art?
Mostly from the cliffs by our home. Petroglyph designs on the cliff walls…It’s kind of like history, it has to be seen…ingested. Petroglyph art was done long ago so the future people could see it. Natives that were here before us were telling their stories. The circle of life symbol, a spiral…Native Americans believe that was what was up in the sky. The [spiral] universes that are out there can be seen. That is the only explanation. Those petroglyphs were those stories of what everyone back then saw in the sky too. That is my inspiration.
Left: Bracelet with 18K gold overlay technique and Lander Blue turquoise, 2018 Right: Bracelet with Carico Lake turquoise, sterling silver with 18K gold overlay, 2024
What are your aspirations?
To be a better artist than yesterday and a better person by showing by example. I have been taught to give back when much is given. I share my experiences and knowledge in art by giving free classes on metalsmithing for over 30 years.
Sterling silver naja overlay with 14K gold figures and Bisbee turquoise, 2024, 3 x 3 in.
Who do you look up to?
My parents. My father is a spiritual tribal man, and my mother is a civil rights activist for environmental rights. If I can do a 10th of what they accomplished in my life, I’d be happy.
When did you first attend as a vendor at Santa Fe Indian Market?
It was in 1994. It was a good show even though I did not know how to do it. I just put one table up and put my stuff out on it. No cloth, no nothing. I sold out because no one was doing petroglyph jewelry in my style at that time. I also had stamped pieces, all handmade, no casting.
Bigfoot Bolo, 2023, sterling silver with 18K gold Bigfoot, repousseé technique on Bigfoot with Bisbee turquoise
What was it like growing up?
I left the rez when I went to first grade. I never knew there were other people in the world until we moved at that time. I saw different kinds of people. I looked at their throats to see how they were making the sounds of the words they used. I tried to imitate them. You can look up and see a bird; it’s making such impossible sounds.
Bolo tips, 2024, sterling silver and 18K gold cross, overlay technique and hand engraving, 5 in.
What’s next for your jewelry work?
Four bolos, one is a new version of the thunderbird, and two traditional bolos with precious stones, and a butterfly design with inlay turquoise and many colors of coral plus lapis lazuli. —
Ben accepts commission work and can be found on Facebook, on Instagram (@dinehbisbee) and at the Santa Fe Indian Market in New Mexico in August and at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market at the Heard Museum in March in Phoenix.
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