Andy Lee Kirk
Overview
Andy Lee Kirk (1947–2001) was an Isleta/Navajo silversmith active from the 1970s, working traditional and contemporary styles — nugget sets and leaf work in silver and gold. He was the 1995 IACA Artist of the Year and a multiple award winner.
He was the brother of Michael Kirk and the father of Melanie Kirk-Lente; neither has a directory page yet, so those names stand unlinked. (The Jimmy Kirk documented elsewhere in this directory belongs to an Anglo trading family — our reference library states no relation.) His documented marks: crescent moons; KIRK 1; and Andy Lee Kirk in etched script.
The Mark
"Andy Lee Kirk (1947-2001; Isleta/Navajo). Active since 1970s. Traditional and contemporary; nugget sets; leaves; silver, gold. Brother of Michael Kirk. Father of Melanie Kirk-Lente. 1995 IACA Artist of the Year. Multiple award winner. Marks: Crescent moons; KIRK 1; Andy Lee Kirk (etched script)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: Crescent moons; KIRK 1; Andy Lee Kirk (etched script).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1995.
- Tryk, Sheila. Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art. Photography by Mark Nohl; introduction by Allan Houser. Santa Fe, NM: Tierra Publications, in cooperation with SWAIA (Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs), 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Revised and Expanded 3rd Edition. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2006 (first published 1992). Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2006.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Jacka, Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone (1995)
1995 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1995, not today.
A 1995 caption in Jacka's book:
“The blending of two cultures enhances the jewelry of Andy Lee Kirk, Navajo/Isleta. Most of the motifs were inspired by his mother's Pueblo heritage.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 90 [1]
From the Library: Tryk, Santa Fe Indian Market (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Tryk (1993, p. 64) recorded that Andy Lee Kirk, Isleta, liked to work with gold and unusual stones, including opals and diamonds. [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Andy Lee Kirk (Andrew Kirk), (stamps KIRK 1, two crescent moon hallmark)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 205 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 205) recorded Andy Lee Kirk as Isleta/Navajo, born about 1947 and living in Albuquerque until his death on September 30, 2001, active from 1970 in gold, silver, mosaic and fabricated jewelry and canteens, with a B.A. in biology from the University of New Mexico, where he took jewelry classes, and the father of Melanie Kirk. [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 205) wrote that the Navajo jeweler Gibson Nez encouraged him to start making jewelry, and that in 1991 he collaborated with Pete and Dinah Gasper. [3]
Schaaf (2003) summed up:
“Andy was best known for fine mosaic jewelry.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 205 [3]
Schaaf (2003), citing McFadden and Taubman, quoted his daughter Melanie:
“His life was one-hundred-percent commitment to his art.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 205 [3]
From the Library: Bassman and Bassman, Zuni Jewelry (2006)
2006 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2006, not today.
Bassman and Bassman (2006) pictured a three-strand Mediterranean coral fetish necklace with matching earrings and 14-karat gold fittings, made in 1991 by Dinah and Peter Gasper and Andy Lee Kirk, and noted:
“This necklace took Best of Category for all Stone or Shell and was a First Prize winner.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 22 [4]
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.