Chris Turri at Chumani Gallery

Artist Statement

Chris Turri is a “near” native New Mexican having lived most of his life in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico. He began his training as a silversmith in 1975 at age sixteen when he apprenticed with a well known jeweler, Nick Mora. His work advanced quickly to include stone cutting, focusing on natural Hachita turquoise from a little known mine in southern New Mexico. Chris’ silversmith work ranges from traditional Native American styles to more modern freestyle. He utilizes hand made tools and several casting styles.

After learning various trades, Chris expanded his creative talents to larger sculptures and other metals. Chris currently focuses his work in steel, copper and stainless steel using a combination of new and reclaimed materials. He builds two and three dimensional sculptures of varying scale including custom installations, spirit masks, shamans and water features. His roots in traditional native silversmith techniques, his love of and connection to indigenous cultures world wide and his desert environment shine through in the spirit and elements of his work.

Chris lives with his wife in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains where he raised his family and supported them as an electrician & contractor. In the construction industry Chris learned to work with many metals, welding, torch cutting and wood work; and he built an art studio and metal inventory that feed his urge to create. As a primarily self taught artist, Chris puts no restrictions on his art and utilizes all his trade and silversmith skills, his deep connection to the New Mexico landscape and an adventurous nature to get “in the middle of it all” and try just about anything in his studio. He has developed his own patinas and metal working techniques and loves that every piece is “one of a kind”. Chris’ signature “Spirit Masks” and “Shaman” series are now collected around the country.

“I’ve always been a junk collector.” Chris says. “There is so much waste in our world, I look at a lot of it and see a piece come together. It’s amazing the jewels people leave behind in the junk pile! I’ve landscaped, constructed buildings & furniture with the scrap left on a construction site, now I build sculptures. It’s the perfect transition for me. I love to see the old and new come together.”

In his earliest years as a silversmith, with his varied skills and no fear approach, the eldest of Chris’ four brothers used to refer to Chris as “Chris the Craftsman” because he said “Chris can do anything!” Thus Chris’ signature of back to back C’s was born and can be found stamped or welded into all of his work since 1975.

Chris is inspired by humor, love, the New Mexico landscape & skies and his fascination with indigenous art & culture.