UrbanNation Pendants

flat bronze freshwater pearl pendant by First Nations designer Tatakwan — Flat Bronze Freshwater Pearl Pendant with Hoop $133

metal 3 feather pendant by First Nations designer Tatakwan — Metal 3 Feather Pendant $133

Metal 3 Feather Pendant by First Nations designer Tatakwan - detail — Metal 3 Feather Pendant (detail)

More pendants coming soon..

Urban Regalia features unique contemporary jewelry and accessories by painter and multi-media artist Bebonkwe ᐱᐳᐣ aka Jude Norris. Bebonkwe is a Nehiyaw (Plains Cree)/Anishnaabe/Metis Nation artist from Papaschase First Nation in the area of amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Edmonton), Alberta. Throughout her career she has also made camp at various locations in Canada, the UK & New York City, & has now been based in Brooklyn for many years. Bebonkwe creates dynamic, groundbreaking contemporary artworks in a variety of media including painting, drawing, photo-based media, installation, video & sculpture.

Bebonkwe has also been making unique jewelry throughout her career as a wearable aspect of her arts practice. Each Urban Regalia piece is an singular, original artwork, lovingly & meticulously hand-made with great attention to detail.

Bebonkwe’s accessories are often strongly influenced by the colorful powwow regalia worn by the traditional dancers in her home culture & territory &/or by other aspects of Indigenous culture. She draws from & incorporates the the stunning, esoteric visual style of the traditional ‘haute couture’ of First Nations cultures. Her wearable pieces often juxtapose these cultural elements with the influences of much time spent in the major urban centres of New York, Toronto, Vancouver & London, where she’s had access to & been immersed in the most contemporary fashion, fine art & urban culture.

Urban Regalia includes one of a kind hairpieces, necklaces, earrings & loom beaded chokers. You can wear these unique tribal-style accessories as an unforgettable part of your casual look or to add a dramatic element to a more dressy outfit.

See Bebonkwe’s artwork in other mediums at the link below.