Bennie Ration was born March 21, 1955, on the Canoncito Navajo Reservation in New Mexico, to John and Frances Ration. His father who had been a silver smith since childhood, taught Bennie the art of silversmithing at the young age eleven. His father told him that no matter what else he did with his life he would always have silversmithing to fall back on. Throughout his childhood Bennie was a talented artist. After he graduated from high school he enrolled in a one year program at U.S. Silkscreen and Graphics School in Scottsdale AZ. Upon completion of the course he worked for three years as a silkscreener and graphic designer. In 1978 he did “fall back” on the art of silversmithing. With a look and style that he had developed as a graphic designer, he began making three dimensional figures in silver. His many wearable art designs included Kachina figures, southwestern animals, feathers and Navajo inspired geometric patterns.
When asked how he comes up with his designs he says, “I remember what I see and make pieces in my mind”. Bennie has two children, 1 grandchild and 1 great grandson.
