No, not quite!  Many of our Native American artists use a type of sea shell called "spiny oyster shell"  also known as "spondylus."  Archaeologists have found evidence for jewelry being made from the shell as early as the Neolithic period, 5000 years ago.  The shell comes in a variety of colors, ranging from red, purple, orange and yellow.  In jewelry, we can  distinguish the shell from other stones (as well as the commonly confused coral) by the white variation found throughout.  

Four Winds Gallery is proud to add this exceptional work by San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Tony Da (1940-2008).  Grandson of Maria and Julian Martinez (famous for reviving San Ildefonso pottery and elevating it to a highly collectible art-form during the mid-1920's)  he followed in their footsteps by creating new, innovative works of art.  Inspired by the work of his father, Popovi Da, Tony is well-known for being the first artist to extensively use turquoise inlay in his pottery.  Like his pottery, this original casein painting features exceptional, high quality Morenci turquoise.   Painted in 1978, Tony Da's use of casein paint demonstrates his dedication to using traditional techniques for the creation of new designs.

Rufino Tamayo (1899- 1991) is considered to be the "fourth great" Mexican painter of the twentieth century.  While his contemporaries were utilizing their paintings and murals in the hopes of inspiring radical political change, Tamayo wanted to create an "art for art's sake."  He is known for innovating the technique of the mixograph, which combines relief painting with lithography to create a rich, three dimensional surface.