Our Story

Edison Cummings is a contemporary Navajo (Diné) silversmith and artist whose work bridges tradition, innovation, and personal vision. His journey as an artist is deeply rooted in his upbringing, education, and an enduring curiosity for form and design.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1962 in White Cone, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation, Edison grew up surrounded by culture, community, and creativity. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in visual arts. His mother encouraged this passion by giving him sketchpads and watercolors, nurturing his love for painting. He drew early inspiration from Navajo painter Jim Abeita, whose work opened his eyes to the power of storytelling through art.
After graduating from Holbrook High School in 1981, Edison continued to follow his artistic path.

Formal Art Training

Edison attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, pursued his artistic education at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he graduated with distinction. He later enrolled at Arizona State University, pursuing an art education degree. While there, he took metal-stretching courses that would ultimately shape the direction of his career, sparking his interest in working with metal as a medium.

Transition to Jewelry and Metals

Although his training began in two-dimensional art, Edison’s creative interests evolved toward three-dimensional work such as sculpture and jewelry. He began metalsmithing classes, experimenting with new techniques and forms. In the early 1990s, he started producing jewelry professionally and worked for several years at the White Hogan in Scottsdale, Arizona. This experience was instrumental in refining his skills in jewelry and flatware design, allowing him to merge technical precision with artistic vision.

Style, Materials, and Techniques

Edison is known for blending traditional Navajo silversmithing with contemporary, sculptural design. His body of work includes bracelets, rings, earrings, bolo ties, and pendants, as well as more complex forms such as flatware, boxes, and his signature teapots.
He works primarily with sterling silver and 14-karat gold, often incorporating turquoise, coral, jet, fossilized ivory, wood, and lapis. His techniques include tufa casting, repoussé (hammered relief), stamping, hand-forging, and intricate inlay work.

Since around 2005, Edison has developed a distinctive approach that integrates wood and stone pattern work with metal, giving his pieces a unique architectural rhythm and visual balance.

Recognition and Awards

Edison has been active as a professional artist since the early 1990s. His work has earned top honors at prestigious events, including First Place in Jewelry at Santa Fe Indian Market (2014) and awards at the Heard Museum Market. His pieces are exhibited in leading galleries and collected by those who appreciate the depth and innovation of contemporary Native American art.

Artistic Philosophy

Edison draws inspiration from both the natural world and the built environment, transforming these influences into wearable works of art. He often incorporates primitive shapes and elemental forms, using them as a foundation to create bold, sculptural pieces that feel both timeless and modern. His background in painting informs his approach to composition, allowing him to blend color, texture, and form much like a painter works on canvas, resulting in jewelry that is visually striking and deeply expressive.

Today

Edison continues to live and work in Arizona, creating pieces that honor his heritage while pushing the boundaries of design. His work carries the hallmark “E. CUMMINGS”, a signature that collectors have come to associate with exceptional craftsmanship, cultural integrity, and artistic vision.