Arland Ben

ARTISAN DETAILS
INTRODUCTION
Navajo silversmith Arland Ben is a man of many worlds. He grew up in the Four Corners area, but would eventually head to California where he completed his junior and senior high school years, only returning home in the summers. After that would follow a college education in Utah. Then starting his part-time silversmith career. Along the way he'd compete in rodeos, wrestling, coaching, raise two boys and get some screen time in major Hollywood productions. Arland lives a full life and that is expressed through his art.
HALLMARK
Arland Ben hallmark AFB
1989 to Present
TRIBE:
Navajo
STYLE:
Fabricated silver with 14k gold overlay rock art designs using qualtiy gem stones
FIRST YEAR MAKING ART:
1989
ARTISAN INTERVIEW

Where did you grow up?

I grew up everywhere. I attended elementary school in Blanding and Montezuma Creek, Utah. My middle school and high school years were in San Bernadino, California.

How was that, going from the rural Four Corners to urban California?

It was a culture shock. Overtime it was nice because I knew I would get a break from both.

After high school what did you do?

I attended Brigham Young University in Utah.

What did you study?

Well I wanted to be a doctor so I started in physics. Eventually I changed to fine arts, and that was a good choice.

Is that when you started making jewelry?

No, we did a lot of painting and sculptor work.

What did you like to paint, and did your work have Native American themes?

I did a lot of portraits and some sculptor work, but it wasn’t Native American themed.

So you finished school, when did you start making jewelry?

I starting making jewelry in the late 1980s.

Are you doing this fulltime?

No, around the same time I started doing rehearsals for parts in movies

How does this happen?

Well I'm with a friend at the 1991 Gathering of Nations and this talent scout comes up to me and gets me an audition.

Had you ever acted before?

No.

What kind of part did you audition for?

It was for the character Uncas in the Last of the Mohicans. I was one of 10,000 actors who auditioned for the role and I made it to the final four.

That is pretty impressive for your audition. How long does an audition like this last?

From the beginning to the end took about a month. By the time it was winding down to the finalist I started to feel a bit more comfortable. I knew I wasn’t going to get the part, but it created an interest that I would pursue more.

Was that the end of your association to the Last of the Mohicans?

No, I was in the movie as part of the main Mohican tribe and did some stunt work.

How did you like doing stunts?

Last of the Mohicans changed the way action films were filmed. The close up action and killing that you see in today’s films began with that movie.

What movie did you audition for next?

I did auditions for Geronimo, Maverick and Buffalo Girls.

Did you ever land a role?

Yes. Back in 1993, I landed a role in the movie Maverick, but had to decline due to my son being born. After I started my family, I wanted to put movies on hold until my boys graduated from high school. My youngest son has two years left.

So are you going to do movies again?

I think it is something I might pursue again.

So you've started a jewelry career and have done some acting, what about rodeo?

I grew up riding horses and was always around rodeo. In the late 1990s I decided to try competitive saddle bronc riding. I was in my mid 30s when I started rodeo.

You do some Hollywood movie stunt work and saddle bronc riding. Things that take a lot of athletic ability, where does this come from?

I was a wrestler growing up and wrestled in college at BYU. My coach was Bill Henderson in California whose son is Dan Henderson.

Wow, that is very impressive. Did you do anything after college with wresting?

I helped coach in Moriarty for 25 years. Moriarty has produced National Champions and has been ranked as high as number four in the Nation.

Do you do anything full-time?

I like to try everything. I don’t want to just do one thing.

What are you into now?

Well as of lately I've been putting a lot of energy into photography. I just finished taking a series of photographs at this year’s Gathering of Nations. Lots of traditional Pow Wow Dancers.

Where do you show these images?

You can check them out on my Facebook page.

A lot is talked about your jewelry, what inspired you to do those petroglyph figures?

Growing up in the Four Corners you always saw them on the rocks. They always interested me and I knew that one day I would do something with those figures.

We are thankful that you decided to use them in your jewelry art. Thank you for your time.

Arland Ben, Belt Buckle, Morenci Turquoise, Silver, 14k Gold, Navajo Made, 3
Arland Ben, Belt Buckle, Morenci Turquoise, Silver, 14k Gold, Navajo Made, 3"
$2,575
$2,575
Arland Ben, Bowl, 14k, Silver, Bisbee, Carico Lake, Candelaria Turquoise, 2
Arland Ben, Bowl, 14k, Silver, Bisbee, Carico Lake, Candelaria Turquoise, 2
$3,800
$3,800
Arland Ben, Bracelet, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Bear, Navajo Handmade, 6.25
Arland Ben, Bracelet, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Bear, Navajo Handmade, 6.25
$1,400
$1,400
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Bisbee Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver, Navajo Made, 6 3/4
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Bisbee Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver, Navajo Made, 6 3/4"
$2,395
$2,395
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Bisbee Turquoise, Coin Silver, 14k, Navajo Handmade, 8
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Bisbee Turquoise, Coin Silver, 14k, Navajo Handmade, 8"
$2,210
$2,210
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Carico Lake Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver, Navajo Made, 7.25
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Carico Lake Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver, Navajo Made, 7.25
$2,380
$2,380
Arland Ben, Bracelet, King Manassa Turquoise, Hand Wrought, Navajo Handmade, 6.75
Arland Ben, Bracelet, King Manassa Turquoise, Hand Wrought, Navajo Handmade, 6.75
$1,390
$1,390
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Royal Blue Royston Turquoise, Revival, Navajo Made, 7.25in
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Royal Blue Royston Turquoise, Revival, Navajo Made, 7.25in
$1,505
$1,505
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Royston Turquoise, Revival Style, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/4
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Royston Turquoise, Revival Style, Navajo Handmade, 6 3/4"
$2,575
$2,575
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Squaw Dance, Bisbee Turquoise, 14k, Silver, Navajo, 6.5
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Squaw Dance, Bisbee Turquoise, 14k, Silver, Navajo, 6.5
$3,200
$3,200
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Stone Cabin Turquoise, Revival Style, Navajo Made, 6 3/4
Arland Ben, Bracelet, Stone Cabin Turquoise, Revival Style, Navajo Made, 6 3/4"
$2,575
$2,575
Arland Ben, Bracelet,Coin Silver,Stone Cabin Turquoise,Navajo Handmade, 7
Arland Ben, Bracelet,Coin Silver,Stone Cabin Turquoise,Navajo Handmade, 7
$1,480
$1,480
Arland Ben, Pendant, Bisbee Turquoise, Montana Agate, Navajo Made, 3''
Arland Ben, Pendant, Bisbee Turquoise, Montana Agate, Navajo Made, 3''
$1,200
$1,200
Arland Ben, Revival, Royston Turquoise, Sterling Cuff, Navajo 6.75
Arland Ben, Revival, Royston Turquoise, Sterling Cuff, Navajo 6.75
$1,505
$1,505
Arland Ben, Ring, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Candelaria Turquoise, Navajo 11
Arland Ben, Ring, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Candelaria Turquoise, Navajo 11
$1,470
$1,470
Arland Ben, Ring, Blue Gem Turquoise, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Navajo Made, 7
Arland Ben, Ring, Blue Gem Turquoise, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Navajo Made, 7
$1,295
$1,295
Arland Ben, Ring, Royston Turquoise, Silver, 14k Gold, Navajo Handmade, 14 ½
Arland Ben, Ring, Royston Turquoise, Silver, 14k Gold, Navajo Handmade, 14 ½
$1,570
$1,570
Arland Ben, Silver Carico Lake Turquoise Cuff 7.5
Arland Ben, Silver Carico Lake Turquoise Cuff 7.5
$1,835
$1,835
✕

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