ブラッドリー・ガシュワズラ

Bradley Gashwazra’s journey as a silversmith began with a simple walk from his village of Mishongnovi to Kykotsmovi on Hopi’s Third Mesa. A young man then, he was invited by Wayne and Emory Sekaquaptewa to work at Hopicrafts, a newly established business specializing in Hopi art. Initially making small katsinas for tourists, Bradley soon tried his hand at silversmithing, first working with copper and then moving on to silver. "In a couple of days, they gave me silver and just let me do whatever I wanted because they liked everything I made!" Bradley recalls, smiling. He drew inspiration from his father, who had crafted jewelry using old techniques with bellows and simple tools.

Bradley honed his skills at Hopicrafts for 25 years, working alongside renowned artists like Bernard Dawahoya, until the business closed in 1983. Over the decades, his distinctive overlay style evolved, incorporating ancient Hopi symbols of water, corn, cumulus clouds, and kachinas into his jewelry. His pieces, whether a buckle, bracelet, or pendant, embody the essence of his Hopi name, Polisyveyya – “Butterfly Flowers in Bloom.”

A quiet and humble man, Bradley is reluctant to speak about his impressive career, which spans more than 50 years. "I was 17 when I left Hopi to work at the Grand Canyon as a dishwasher," he says. "Later, I worked with the Forest Service, trimming trees and fighting fires." It was during this time that he met his wife, Loreena, whose family lived at the Grand Canyon due to her father’s job with the Santa Fe Railroad. The couple eventually returned to Hopi, settling in the village of Mishongnovi and later marrying in a traditional ceremony in Old Oraibi in 1954.

Loreena, whose Hopi name is Honvafnuma, meaning “Looking for Bear,” grew up speaking English rather than Hopi. "It was Bradley who began teaching me my own language!” she recalls. Together, they built a life rooted in tradition, raising five children, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren in Hopiland, where they maintained a life in balance – farming, participating in kachina ceremonies, and creating art.

Bradley’s work has always been celebrated for its impeccable craftsmanship and the profound meaning embedded in each piece. Among his favorite motifs is the "Man and the Maze," a symbol that resonates deeply with his personal journey and life philosophy. His intricate saw work depicting clouds, bears, and traditional Hopi symbols has drawn collectors from all over the world.

In 2017, Bradley delivered his final jewelry order. It wasn’t age or a loss of skill that led him to put down his tools but rather a car accident that left his shoulder permanently injured. Even so, the excellence of his work remained unwavering until the very end. In 2022, Bradley faced another profound loss with the passing of his beloved Loreena. Today, he is remembered as a master of Hopi silver overlay, a dedicated family man, and a cultural bearer whose artistry continues to inspire future generations.