Julian Lovato, Kewa Jeweler
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Kewa artist Julian Lovato was one of the most innovative and talented Native American jewelers of the late 20th Century. His works are some of the finest of late twentieth century Native American jewelry.
Julian Lovato's parents were both expert jewelers who made traditional Kewa Pueblo (formerly Santo Domingo Pueblo) hieshe jewelry. He learned to make traditional style Kewa jewelry from them, and then went on to learn new methods of making jewelry, including working with silver.
As a young man, Lovato trained at Frank Patania's Thunderbird Studio in Santa Fe where he worked with the first generation of modern Native American silversmiths. His work reflects the clean, modern lines of Patania's European influence. Lovato continued to use the Patania Studio thunderbird hallmark even after he left the studio.
Julian Lovato (1922-2018) was born at Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico. His parents and grandparents were jewelers, who worked cutting and shaping turquoise. He began assisting his elders at the age of nine. He joined the military in 1940 and after the war he returned to New Mexico. He married Marie Lovato (1927-) and sometimes collaborated with her in the jewelry making process.
Reference and Recommended Reading: North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment from Prehistory to Present by Lois Dubin