Timothy Bedah

Timothy Bedah
Born(1945-10-04)October 4, 1945
DiedJune 18, 2017(2017-06-18) (aged 71)
Burial placeTohatchi Cemetery, Tohatchi, New Mexico
NationalityNavajo Nation, American
Occupation(s)painter, goldsmith

Timothy Bedah (October 4, 1945 – June 18, 2017) was a Navajo American painter and goldsmith born in Tohatchi, New Mexico.[1] He exhibited his work across the United States. Bedah is known for his silver and gold jewelry, including rings, bracelets, and buckles,[2] for which he won a number of awards.[3]

Bedah was born to Edward Bedah (Plains Indian, Kiiyanii clan) and Thelma Begay (Navajo, Todacheenie clan).[2] He was a promising art student as a child, excelling in painting and music. After graduating from Gallup High School in 1965,[4] he was a guitarist and drummer in a country music band.[2]

He worked for a time at Carson's Trading Post in Gallup, New Mexico, where he learned how to silversmith. In the mid-1970s he began working with gold.[2]

Bedah died in 2017 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is buried in the Tohatchi Cemetery.[5]

References

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  1. ^ King, Jeanne Snodgrass (1968). American Indian painters; a biographical directory. Smithsonian Libraries. New York : Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. p. 16.
  2. ^ a b c d "Tim Bedah--Navajo". www.sacredbearjewelry.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  3. ^ "State Fair Results". Albuquerque Journal. 1985-09-18. p. 54. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  4. ^ Lester, Patrick D. (Patrick David) (1995). The biographical directory of Native American painters. Internet Archive. Tulsa, OK : SIR Publications ; Norman, OK : Distributed by University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-9936-8.
  5. ^ "Timothy Bedah Sr. (1945-2017) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.