Timothy Bedah Explained

Timothy Bedah
Birth Date:4 October 1945
Birth Place:Tohatchi, New Mexico
Death Place:Albuquerque, New Mexico
Burial Place:Tohatchi Cemetery, Tohatchi, New Mexico
Nationality:Navajo Nation, American
Occupation: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). 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.

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.

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

Notes and References

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