Connections Across Generations:
About Shonto BegayBegay, Shonto Shonto Begay is a 1976 graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, and received a BFA at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland in 1980. His career has included working as a naturalist for the National Park Service in addition to pursuing painting and illustrating. Begay’s acrylics in the Avery Collection are bittersweet commentary on a changing Native world. |
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In Klethla Valley Days, the two seemingly despondent children at least have each other as they stare out the window of what appears to be an Indian School dormitory. Begay himself, like so many in his generation attended BIA boarding school. |
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Navajo Power Plant affirms the continuity of traditional ways against a backdrop of encroaching modern technology and attendant culture change. Both works are painted with short brush strokes, which the artist has described as chants harkening to Navajo curing ceremonies. |
Begay was awarded Best Arizona Artist at the 1993 Phoenix Art Museum Triennial. Mrs. Avery purchased both of these paintings from the artist at Santa Fe Indian Market, one in 1989, and the other in 1990. She continued to seek out new artists such as Begay until her collecting days finally came to an end in 1991. Shonto Begay's website displays his current work. His work was also highlighted in a special show at the museum: Nizhonigoo bil iina. |
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Text by Diane D. Dittemore, ASM Ethnological Collections Curator. This is an excerpt from the exhibition catalog, Connections Across Generations: The Avery Collection of American Indian Paintings. The catalog can be purchased from the ASM "Native Goods" museum store. Please call 520-626-5886 or email Daniel Vander Ploeg for more information. |
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